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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 07, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	PIRS
Entity Registrant Name	PIERIS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001583648
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,058,827

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash	$ 36,557,701	$ 29,349,124
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,579,659	2,311,385
Total current assets	41,137,360	31,660,509
Property and equipment, net	2,447,733	2,162,771
Other non-current assets	127,626	126,781
Total assets	43,712,719	33,950,061
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	4,523,798	1,058,536
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,898,388	1,739,380
Deferred revenues, current portion	2,529,661
Total current liabilities	9,951,847	2,797,916
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	2,233,834
Other long-term liabilities	44,565	23,852
Total liabilities	12,230,246	2,821,768
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized and 43,058,827 and 39,833,023 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015	43,059	39,833
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 4,963 shares authorized and 4,963 and zero issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015	5
Additional paid-in capital	128,870,853	112,226,723
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,325,104)	(1,272,574)
Accumulated deficit	(96,106,340)	(79,865,689)
Total stockholders' equity	31,482,473	31,128,293
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 43,712,719	$ 33,950,061

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	43,058,827	39,833,023
Common stock, outstanding	43,058,827	39,833,023
Preferred Stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	4,963	4,963
Preferred Stock, shares issued	4,963	0
Preferred Stock, outstanding	4,963	0

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 785,007	$ 414,610	$ 3,104,513	$ 792,474
Operating expenses
Research and development	4,621,957	2,051,688	12,781,489	5,301,911
General and administrative	2,341,010	2,242,804	6,677,110	6,606,209
Total operating expenses	6,962,967	4,294,492	19,458,599	11,908,120
Loss from operations	(6,177,960)	(3,879,882)	(16,354,086)	(11,115,646)
Interest (expense), net				(4,223)
Other income, net	(18,243)	(1,929)	113,575	3,325
Loss before income taxes	(6,196,203)	(3,881,811)	(16,240,511)	(11,116,544)
Provision/(benefit) for income tax		(40,441)		(40,441)
Net Loss	$ (6,196,203)	$ (3,922,252)	$ (16,240,511)	$ (11,156,985)
Net loss per share Basic and diluted	$ (0.14)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.39)	$ (0.34)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic and diluted	43,063,790	38,890,546	41,259,749	32,584,354

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ 6,196,203	$ 3,922,252	$ 16,240,511	$ 11,156,985
Other comprehensive income/(loss) components:
Foreign currency translation	670	193,415	(52,530)	(307,182)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	670	193,415	(52,530)	(307,182)
Comprehensive loss	$ 6,195,533	$ 3,728,837	$ 16,293,041	$ 11,464,167

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operating activities:
Net loss	$ (16,240,511)	$ (11,156,985)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	175,387	234,066
Stock-based compensation	1,426,341	823,164
Non-cash restricted shares		446,400
Non-cash consulting shares		75,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable		(17,328)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,161,864)	(768,982)
Deferred Revenue	4,698,803
Trade accounts payable	3,304,055	(49,427)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,139,045	190,549
Income taxes		10,109
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(7,658,745)	(10,213,434)
Investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(322,706)	(269,265)
Net cash used in investing activities	(322,706)	(269,265)
Financing activities:
Issuance of Common and Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs	15,221,021	25,763,960
Repayment of debt		(1,157,940)
Net cash used in financing activities	15,221,021	24,606,020
Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents	(30,993)	(342,653)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,208,577	13,780,668
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	29,349,124	18,474,211
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	36,557,701	32,254,879
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest		4,181
Cash paid for tax		$ 40,441
Property and equipment, included in accounts payable	$ 83,435

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	1. Interim Consolidated Financial Statements The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Pieris” or the “Company”) were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation. Certain information and footnotes normally included in financial statement prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete annual consolidated financial statements. It is recommended that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes that appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on March 23, 2016 (the “2015 Annual Report”). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2015, and all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016 or any future period. Use of estimates The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in the financial statements and disclosures in the accompanying notes. Significant estimates are used for, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, deferred tax assets, liabilities and valuation allowances, fair value of stock options and various accruals. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from management’s estimates, judgments and assumptions.

Critical Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Critical Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Critical Accounting Policies	2. Critical Accounting Policies Research and development expenses Research and development expenses are charged to the statement of operations as incurred. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries and benefits, facilities costs, pre-clinical and clinical costs, contract services, consulting, depreciation and amortization expense, and other related costs. Costs associated with acquired technology, in the form of upfront fees or milestone payments, are charged to research and development expense as incurred.

Revenues	9 Months Ended
Revenues	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Revenues	incurred. 3. Revenues General Pieris, to date has not generated revenues from product sales. Pieris has generated revenues pursuant to (i) license and collaboration agreements, which include upfront payments for licenses or options to obtain licenses, payments for research and development services and milestone payments, and (ii) government grants. Multiple element arrangements, such as license and development arrangements are analyzed to determine whether the deliverables, which often include a license and performance obligations such as research and steering committee services, can be separated or whether they must be accounted for as a single unit of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. The Company recognizes up-front license payments as revenue upon delivery of the license only if the license has stand-alone value. If the license is considered to not have stand-alone value, the arrangement would then be accounted for as a single unit of accounting and the license payments and payments for performance obligations are recognized as revenue over the estimated period of when the performance obligations are performed. If the Company is involved in a steering committee as part of a multiple element arrangement, the Company assesses whether its involvement constitutes a performance obligation or a right to participate. Steering committee services that are determined to be performance obligations are combined with other research services or performance obligations required under an arrangement, if any, in determining the level of effort required in an arrangement and the period over which the Company expects to complete its aggregate performance obligations. Whenever the Company determines that an arrangement should be accounted for as a single unit of accounting, it must determine the period over which the performance obligations will be performed and revenue will be recognized. Revenue will be recognized using either a relative performance or straight-line method. The Company recognizes revenue using the relative performance method provided that the Company can reasonably estimate the level of effort required to complete its performance obligations under an arrangement and such performance obligations are provided on a best-efforts basis. Full-time equivalents are typically used as the measure of performance. If the Company cannot reasonably estimate when its performance obligation either ceases or becomes inconsequential and perfunctory, then revenue is deferred until the Company can reasonably estimate when the performance obligation ceases or becomes inconsequential. Revenue is then recognized over the remaining estimated period of performance. Significant management judgment is required in determining the level of effort required under an arrangement and the period over which the Company is expected to complete its performance obligations under an arrangement. F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and Hoffmann- La Roche Inc. In December 2015, the Company entered into a Research Collaboration and License Agreement (the “Roche Agreement”) with F.Hoffmann- La Roche Ltd. and Hoffmann- La Roche Inc., (“Roche”), for the research, development, and commercialization of Anticalin-based drug candidates against a predefined, undisclosed target in cancer immune therapy. The parties will jointly pursue a preclinical research program with respect to the identification and generation of Anticalin proteins that bind to a specific target for an expected period of 20 months, which may be extended by Roche for up to an additional 12 months. Roche has the ability to continue exclusivity rights for up to an additional 5 years. Both Roche and the Company will participate in a joint research committee in connection with this agreement. Following the research program, Roche will be responsible for subsequent pre-clinical and clinical development of any product developed through the research plan and will have worldwide commercialization rights to any such product. Roche has paid $6.5 million of an upfront payment for the research collaboration. Additionally, Roche will pay Pieris for research services provided by Pieris in conjunction with the research program. Roche will also pay Pieris for certain milestones relating to development, regulatory, and sales milestones as they are achieved. Pieris recorded $0.8 million and $3.1 million in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, related to the recognition of the upfront Roche payment during those periods. Revenue recognized is associated with the portion of the research services performed during the periods as well as the value of research services provided by Pieris in connection with the ongoing research program. No revenues were recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Company identified the research and commercial licenses, performance of R&D services, and participation in the joint research committee as deliverables under the Roche Agreement. For revenue recognition purposes, management has determined that there are two units of accounting at the inception of the agreement representing (i) the research and commercial licenses and the performance of R&D services which do not have standalone value, and (ii) the participation in the joint research committee. In addition to the upfront payment, under the Roche Agreement, the Company is eligible to receive research funding, development and regulatory, and sales based milestone payments up to approximately $420.6 million, plus royalties on future sales of any commercial products. The total potential milestones are categorized as follows: development and regulatory milestones—$292.0 million; and sales milestones—$123.8 million. Management has determined that the development milestones are not substantive because they do not relate solely to past performance of the Company and the Company’s involvement in the achievement is limited to progress reports and other updates. Non-substantive milestones will be recognized when achieved to the extent the Company has no remaining performance obligations under the arrangement.

Net Loss per Common Share	9 Months Ended
Net Loss per Common Share	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss per Common Share	4. Net Loss per Common Share Basic net loss per share was determined by dividing net loss by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share was determined by dividing net loss by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares reflect the dilutive effect, if any, of common stock options based on the treasury stock method. For all financial statement periods presented the number of basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding was the same because any increase in the number of shares of common stock equivalents for any period presented would be antidilutive based on the net loss for the period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, approximately 7.4 million and 0.9 million weighted average shares subject to stock options and warrants, respectively, as calculated using the treasury stock method, were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding as their effect would have been antidilutive.

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurement	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	5. Fair Value Measurement ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurement defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Pieris applies the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. The standard describes the following fair value hierarchy based on three levels of input, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 utilizes quoted market prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. For the periods presented in these interim financial statements, Pieris has no cash equivalents and debt instruments as of each balance sheet date presented. All other current assets and current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets approximate their respective carrying amounts.

- 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

Related-Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
Related-Party Transactions	Sep. 30, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transactions	6. Related-Party Transactions Research and License Agreement with Technische Universität München (“TUM”) On July 4, 2003, the Company entered into a research and licensing agreement with TUM, which was subsequently renewed and, on July 26, 2007, superseded and replaced. The agreement established a joint research effort led by Prof. Arne Skerra, Chair of Biological Chemistry of TUM, to optimize Anticalin technologies for use in therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic applications and as research reagents, and to gain fundamental insights in lipocalin scaffolds. Prof. Dr. Skerra was a member of the Company´s supervisory board when the parties entered into such agreement and during the period covered by the consolidated financial statements in this report. The Company provided certain funding for TUM research efforts performed under the agreement. As a result of research efforts to date under the agreement, the Company holds a worldwide exclusive license under its license agreement with TUM to multiple patents and patent applications, including an exclusive license to an issued U.S. patent, which patent will expire in 2027 (subject to a possible term adjustment period). The Company also holds an exclusive license to an issued U.S. patent No. 8,420,051, which patent is expected to expire in 2029. The Company bears the costs of filing, prosecution and maintenance of patents assigned or licensed to the Company under the agreement. As consideration for the assigned patents and licenses above, the Company is required to pay certain development milestones to TUM. The Company also is obliged to pay low-single-digit royalties, including annual minimum royalties, on sales of such products incorporating patented technologies. If the Company grants licenses or sublicenses to those patents to third parties, the Company will be obliged to pay a percentage of the resulting revenue to TUM. The Company’s payment obligations are reduced by the Company’s proportionate contribution to a joint invention. Payment obligations terminate on expiration or annulment of the last patent covered by the agreement. The Company can terminate the licenses to any or all licensed patents upon specified advance notice to TUM. TUM may terminate the license provisions of the agreement only for cause. Termination of the agreement does not terminate the rights in patents assigned to the Company. Effective as of the fourth quarter of 2015, Pieris no longer deems TUM a related party due to Prof. Dr. Skerra no longer having a supervisory board position in Pieris GmbH or other direct relationship with the Company since its initial public offering in December 2014. Therefore no expenses to TUM as a related party were incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. The Company incurred expenses related to TUM as a related party of approximately $14,000 and $42,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Consulting Contract between Prof. Dr. Arne Skerra and Pieris AG In 2001, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Prof. Dr. Arne Skerra, pursuant to which Prof. Dr. Arne Skerra provides advice regarding the use of new proteins, in particular Anticalin proteins and antibodies, for the purpose of research and development. As of the fourth quarter of 2015, Pieris no longer deemed Prof. Dr. Skerra a related party due to Prof. Dr. Skerra no longer having a supervisory board position in Pieris GmbH or other direct relationship with the Company after its initial public offering in December 2014. Therefore no expenses to Prof. Dr. Skerra, as a related party, were incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. The Company incurred and paid to Prof. Dr. Skerra consulting fees of approximately $6,000 and $17,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Accrued expenses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued expenses

7. Accrued expenses

The Company has recorded the following accrued expenses as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively:


	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Accrued expenses
Accrued compensation expense	$	983,951	$	704,597
Accrued audit and tax fees		394,414		179,223
Accrued professional fees		360,200		194,790
Accrued R&D fees		1,019,024		466,076
Accrued other		140,799		194,694

Total amount of accrued expenses	$	2,898,388	$	1,739,380

Stock-based compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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

Stock-based compensation

8. Stock-based compensation

2014 Stock Plan

Pieris granted 1,157,734 options to employees, consultants, and directors under its 2014 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, (the “2014 Plan”) during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Pieris granted 116,027 and 663,262 options to employees, consultants, and directors under the 2014 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, (the “Plan”) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015 the Company granted an option to purchase 500,000 shares outside of the Plan to a newly-hired executive officer that was an inducement and material to the executive officer entering into employment with the Company. The compensation expense associated with this inducement option was $32,133 and is included in research and development expense for both the three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2015.

The 2014 Plan was terminated on June 28, 2016 when the Company adopted its 2016 Employee, Director and Consultant Equity Incentive Plan, (the “2016 Plan”). Therefore no options were granted for the three months ended September 30, 2016 under the 2014 Plan.

2016 Stock Plan

In June 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 Plan which provides for the grant of stock options, restricted and unrestricted stock awards, and other stock-based awards to employees of the Company, non-employee directors of the Company, and certain other consultants performing services for the Company as designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors.

The vesting periods of equity incentives issued under the 2016 Plan are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, with stock options generally vesting over a four-year period. In September 2015, a stock option to purchase 450,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 (the “Common Stock”), was granted to a newly–hired executive officer subject to certain restrictions on exercise that required the Company’s shareholders to approve an increase in the number of shares authorized under the 2014 Plan. Upon the Company’s adoption of the 2016 Plan, this stock option was amended and issued under the 2016 Plan; the total shares available under the 2016 Plan reflects the issuance of this option. The Company granted 114,378 options to employees and directors under the 2016 Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. No options were granted under the 2016 Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2016, there were 3,275,622 shares available for future grant under the 2016 Plan. The shares available for future grant under the 2016 Plan include 90,000 shares which were forfeited during the three months ended September 30, 2016 under the 2014 Plan. These forfeited shares were added to the 2016 Plan.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $0.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and was $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

Total stock-based compensation expense was recorded to operating expenses based upon the functional responsibilities of the individuals holding the respective options as follows:


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Research and Development	$	142,254	$	88,176	$	444,193	$	217,766
General and administrative		303,859		249,613		982,148		605,398

Total stock-option expense	$	446,113	$	337,789	$	1,426,341	$	823,164

There were no options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for stock-based awards. Option-pricing models require the input of various subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life, expected dividend yield, price volatility, risk free interest rate, and forfeitures of the underlying stock. Accordingly, the weighted-average fair value of the options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $1.05 and $1.01, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of the options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $1.95 and $1.94, respectively. The calculation was based on the following assumptions:


	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
Expected volatility		74.9% - 75.12	%		72.65% - 73.43	%		74.90% - 76.00	%		72.65% - 75.07	%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate		1.25% - 1.35	%		1.69% - 1.89	%		1.13% - 1.61	%		1.49% - 1.89	%
Expected term		5.0 - 5.7 years			5.0 - 6.1 years			5.0 - 5.7 years			5.0 - 6.1 years

Option-pricing models require the input of various subjective assumptions, including the option´s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. Pieris’ estimated expected stock price volatility is based on the average volatilities of other guideline companies in the same industry. Pieris’ expected term of options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively was derived using the SEC’s simplified method. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The Company’s stock options have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant. Stock options granted under the 2016 Plan may be either incentive stock options (“ISOs”), or nonqualified stock options. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2016 Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

Consulting Shares	9 Months Ended
Consulting Shares	Sep. 30, 2016
Text Block [Abstract]
Consulting Shares	9. Consulting Shares Del Mar Consulting Group & Alex Partners In March 2015, the Company entered into an independent consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with the Del Mar Consulting Group, Inc. and Alex Partners, LLC (the “Consultants”), pursuant to which the Company issued 150,000 shares of common stock, to the Consultants (the “Consulting Shares”). The Company agreed to retain the Consultants to provide investor relations consulting to the Company for a period commencing on March 6, 2015 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending thirteen months after the Commencement Date (such period, the “Term”). The shares issued in connection with the Consulting Agreement were deemed to be exempt from registration in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering. The Company recognized expenses in connection with the issuance of the Consulting Shares of $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 in general and administrative expenses. No expenses were recognized during the 2016 period as the remaining shares vested on September 2, 2015 and the remaining expense was recorded based on the fair value of the shares on that date. Aquilo Partners In September 2015, the Company entered into a Letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) with Aquilo Partners, L.P. (“Aquilo Partners”) pursuant to which the Company recorded a cash retainer fee of $0.1 million and issued 27,272 shares of the Company´s common stock at a price of $2.75 per share.

Public Offering	9 Months Ended
Public Offering	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Public Offering	10. Public Offering In July 2015, the Company closed a public offering of an aggregate of 9,090,909 shares of the Company´s common stock at a purchase price of $2.75 per share. All shares of common stock were offered by the Company. On July 24, 2015 the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to purchase 1,211,827 additional shares of the Company´s common stock at the public offering price of $2.75, the sale of which closed on July 28, 2015. Gross proceeds raised by the Company in the offering, including the exercise of the over-allotment option, were $28.3 million and net of equity issuance costs were $25.8 million.

- 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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74567-122707

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
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+ Details

Private Placement	9 Months Ended
Private Placement	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Private Placement	11. Private Placement In June 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement of the Company’s securities with a select group of institutional investors (the “2016 PIPE”). The 2016 PIPE sale transaction, by the Company, consisted of 8,188,804 units at a price of $2.015 per unit for gross proceeds, to the Company, of approximately $16.5 million. After deducting for placement agent fees and offering expenses, the aggregate net proceeds from the private placement was approximately $15.3 million. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of the Company’s Common Stock or non-voting series A convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”) which are convertible into one share of common stock, (ii) one warrant to purchase 0.4 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and (iii) one warrant to purchase 0.2 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The warrants will be exercisable for a period of five years from the date of issuance. Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock was issued at a price of $2.015 per share, and is convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock, provided the holder and/or its affiliates do not own greater than 9.99% of the total number of Pieris common stock then outstanding. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has no registration or voting rights. In event of a true liquidation or winding down of the business, holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will be paid prior to the holders of Common Stock. In connection with the 2016 PIPE, the Company issued 3,225,804 shares of Common Stock and 4,963 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to the 2016 PIPE investors. The Company expects to use the proceeds from the 2016 PIPE towards further development and pre-clinical and clinical work of the Company´s proprietary Anticalin^® product portfolio, including the lead candidates, as well as the development of other programs and product candidates, and general corporate purposes.

License and Transfer Agreement	9 Months Ended
License and Transfer Agreement	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
License and Transfer Agreement	12. License and Transfer Agreement On April 18, 2016 the Company entered into a license and transfer agreement (the “Original Agreement”) with Enumeral Biomedical Holdings, Inc. (“Enumeral”), pursuant to which the Company acquired a non-exclusive worldwide license to use specified patent rights and know-how owned by Enumeral to research, develop and market fusion protein. As contemplated by the terms of the Original Agreement, the Company entered into a definitive license and transfer agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) with Enumeral on June 6, 2016, to expand the scope of the Company’s option to license additional antibodies from Enumeral. Under the Definitive Agreement, Enumeral has granted Pieris options to license two additional undisclosed Enumeral antibodies (each, a “Subsequent Option”); the Subsequent Options expire on May 31, 2017. If Pieris licenses an additional antibody pursuant to a Subsequent Option, Pieris must pay, to Enumeral, an additional undisclosed option exercise payment; any resulting fusion protein products will be subject to royalties and development and sales milestones in the same amounts applicable to the fusion proteins consisting of an Enumeral’s PD-1 antibody linked to one or more Anticalin^® proteins. Under the terms of the Original Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Enumeral an upfront license fee of $250,000 upon signing in April 2016 and subsequently elected to pay a $750,000 maintenance fee in May 2016. The terms of the Definitive Agreement, were essentially unchanged from the Original Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay Enumeral development milestones up to an aggregate of $37.8 million and sales milestones up to an aggregate of $67.5 million. Consistent with the terms of the Original Agreement, the Company also agreed to pay Enumeral royalties within a range in the low to lower-middle single digits as a percentage of net sales depending on the amount of net sales in the applicable years. In the event that the Company is required to pay a license fee or royalty to any third party related to the licensed products, the royalty payment due to Enumeral shall be reduced by the amount of such third party fees or payments, up to 50% of the royalty payment for each calendar year due to Enumeral. The term of the Definitive Agreement ends upon the expiration of the last to expire patent covered under the license. The Definitive Agreement may be terminated by the Company on 30 days’ notice and by Enumeral upon 60 days’ notice of a material breach by the Company (or 30 days with respect to a breach of payment obligations by the Company), provided that the Company has not cured such breach and dispute resolution procedures specified in the Agreement have been followed. The Agreement will also automatically terminate if the Company fails to make the maintenance fee payment described above. All amounts paid related to the Agreement have been expensed as research and development expense as incurred. The Company incurred $0 and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	13 Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” which is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern exists when relevant conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate that it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or are available to be issued). ASU No. 2014-15 provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures commonly provided by organizations in the footnotes of their financial statements. ASU No. 2014-15 is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. Had this standard been adopted as of September 30, 2016, the Company does not believe it would have been required to make any additional disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. Under the amendments in ASU 2016-02 lessees will be required to recognize (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee‘s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenues from Contract with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”. The amendments are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations by amending certain existing illustrative examples and adding additional illustrative examples to assist in the application of the guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. Under the amendments in ASU 2016-09 several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including (i) income tax consequences, (ii) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and (iii) classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU. No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. The amendments in ASU 2016-10 add further guidance on identifying performance obligations and also to improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”. The amendments in ASU 2016-12 address narrow-scope improvements to the guidance on collectability, noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, the amendments in this update provide a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. Pieris has considered other recent accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to the business, or that the effect is not expected to be material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66092750

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
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-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e725-108305

+ Details

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	14. Subsequent Events Milestone payment The Company announced, in October 2016, the achievement of a success-based milestone in its R&D collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo. The milestone was triggered by Daiichi Sankyo´s decision to initiate a GLP toxicity study in non-human primates. Sales Agreement In October 2016, the Company entered into a Sales Agreement with Cowen and Company, LLC (the “Sales Agreement”) to establish an at-the-market equity offering program (“ATM”) pursuant to which it may elect to offer and sell up to an aggregate of $35 million of its Common Stock at prevailing market prices from time to time. To date the Company has not sold any shares of its Common Stock in the ATM offering.

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of estimates The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in the financial statements and disclosures in the accompanying notes. Significant estimates are used for, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, deferred tax assets, liabilities and valuation allowances, fair value of stock options and various accruals. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results and outcomes could differ materially from management’s estimates, judgments and assumptions.
Research and Development Expenses	Research and development expenses Research and development expenses are charged to the statement of operations as incurred. Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred in performing research and development activities, including salaries and benefits, facilities costs, pre-clinical and clinical costs, contract services, consulting, depreciation and amortization expense, and other related costs. Costs associated with acquired technology, in the form of upfront fees or milestone payments, are charged to research and development expense as incurred.
Recent Pronouncements	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” which is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern exists when relevant conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate that it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its financial obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or are available to be issued). ASU No. 2014-15 provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures commonly provided by organizations in the footnotes of their financial statements. ASU No. 2014-15 is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. Had this standard been adopted as of September 30, 2016, the Company does not believe it would have been required to make any additional disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. Under the amendments in ASU 2016-02 lessees will be required to recognize (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee‘s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenues from Contract with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”. The amendments are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations by amending certain existing illustrative examples and adding additional illustrative examples to assist in the application of the guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. Under the amendments in ASU 2016-09 several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including (i) income tax consequences, (ii) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and (iii) classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU. No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. The amendments in ASU 2016-10 add further guidance on identifying performance obligations and also to improve the operability and understandability of the licensing implementation guidance. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”. The amendments in ASU 2016-12 address narrow-scope improvements to the guidance on collectability, noncash consideration, and completed contracts at transition. Additionally, the amendments in this update provide a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures. Pieris has considered other recent accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to the business, or that the effect is not expected to be material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.

Accrued expenses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Expenses

The Company has recorded the following accrued expenses as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively:


	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Accrued expenses
Accrued compensation expense	$	983,951	$	704,597
Accrued audit and tax fees		394,414		179,223
Accrued professional fees		360,200		194,790
Accrued R&D fees		1,019,024		466,076
Accrued other		140,799		194,694

Total amount of accrued expenses	$	2,898,388	$	1,739,380

Stock-based compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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

Schedule of Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Share-Based Awards Under the Pieris Plan

Total stock-based compensation expense was recorded to operating expenses based upon the functional responsibilities of the individuals holding the respective options as follows:


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Research and Development	$	142,254	$	88,176	$	444,193	$	217,766
General and administrative		303,859		249,613		982,148		605,398

Total stock-option expense	$	446,113	$	337,789	$	1,426,341	$	823,164

Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Calculating Value of Options Granted

The weighted-average fair value of the options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $1.95 and $1.94, respectively. The calculation was based on the following assumptions:


	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
Expected volatility		74.9% - 75.12	%		72.65% - 73.43	%		74.90% - 76.00	%		72.65% - 75.07	%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate		1.25% - 1.35	%		1.69% - 1.89	%		1.13% - 1.61	%		1.49% - 1.89	%
Expected term		5.0 - 5.7 years			5.0 - 6.1 years			5.0 - 5.7 years			5.0 - 6.1 years

Revenues - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Revenues - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Revenues from product sales			$ 0
FHoffmann La Roche Ltd And Hoffmann La Roche Inc [Member] \| Upfront Payment Arrangement [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Collaboration agreement, license upfront payment			$ 6,500,000
FHoffmann La Roche Ltd And Hoffmann La Roche Inc [Member] \| Research Services [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Research collaboration agreement, estimated period			20 months
Collaboration agreement, revenue recognized	$ 800,000	$ 0	$ 3,100,000	$ 0
FHoffmann La Roche Ltd And Hoffmann La Roche Inc [Member] \| Research Services [Member] \| Extension Term [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Research collaboration agreement, estimated period			5 years
FHoffmann La Roche Ltd And Hoffmann La Roche Inc [Member] \| Collaborative Arrangement [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Contractual agreement, potential payments	420,600,000		$ 420,600,000
FHoffmann La Roche Ltd And Hoffmann La Roche Inc [Member] \| Collaborative Arrangement [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Development Milestones [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Contractual agreement, potential payments	292,000,000		292,000,000
FHoffmann La Roche Ltd And Hoffmann La Roche Inc [Member] \| Collaborative Arrangement [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Sales Milestone Payments [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Contractual agreement, potential payments	$ 123,800,000		$ 123,800,000

Net Loss Per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share amount	7.4	0.9

Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Debt instruments fair value	$ 0	$ 0
Cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 0

Related-Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total expenses	$ 0		$ 0
Patent No. 8,420,051 [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expected patent expiration year			2029
Consulting Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting agreement fees paid to Prof. Dr. Skerra	0	$ 6,000	$ 0	$ 17,000
TUM [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Patent expiration year			2027
Total expenses	$ 0	$ 14,000	$ 0	$ 42,000

Accrued Expenses - Schedule of Accrued Expenses (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued expenses
Accrued compensation expense	$ 983,951	$ 704,597
Accrued audit and tax fees	394,414	179,223
Accrued professional fees, and other	360,200	194,790
Accrued R&D fees	1,019,024	466,076
Accrued other	140,799	194,694
Total amount of accrued expenses	$ 2,898,388	$ 1,739,380

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock based compensation expense		$ 446,113	$ 337,789	$ 1,426,341	$ 823,164
Common stock, par value		$ 0.001		$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Number of shares, Options exercised		0	0	0	0
Weighted average grant date fair value		$ 1.05	$ 1.95	$ 1.01	$ 1.94
Research and Development [Member]
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock based compensation expense		$ 142,254	$ 88,176	$ 444,193	$ 217,766
Newly Hired Executive [Member]
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Number of shares, Options granted			500,000
Newly Hired Executive [Member] \| Research and Development [Member]
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Stock based compensation expense			$ 32,133		$ 32,133
2016 Stock Plan [Member]
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Number of shares, Options granted			0		0
Stock options vesting period				4 years
Common stock available for grant		3,275,622		3,275,622
Maximum term of stock options				10 years
2016 Stock Plan [Member] \| Employees Consultants And Directors [Member]
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Number of shares, Options granted		114,378		114,378
2014 Stock Plan [Member]
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Number of shares, Options granted	450,000	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001		$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Number of shares, Forfeited		90,000
2014 Stock Plan [Member] \| Employees Consultants And Directors [Member]
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Number of shares, Options granted			116,027	1,157,734	663,262

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense Related to Share-Based Awards Under the Pieris Plan (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-option expense	$ 446,113	$ 337,789	$ 1,426,341	$ 823,164
Research and Development [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-option expense	142,254	88,176	444,193	217,766
General and Administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-option expense	$ 303,859	$ 249,613	$ 982,148	$ 605,398

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Calculating Value of Options Granted (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, and Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	74.90%	72.65%	74.90%	72.65%
Expected volatility	75.12%	73.43%	76.00%	75.07%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	1.25%	1.69%	1.13%	1.49%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	1.35%	1.89%	1.61%	1.89%
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, and Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Expected term	5 years	5 years	5 years	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, and Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Expected term	5 years 8 months 12 days	6 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 8 months 12 days	6 years 1 month 6 days

Consulting Shares - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued			43,058,827		39,833,023
Consulting Agreement [Member] \| Del Mar Consulting Group and Alex Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued						150,000
Consulting Agreement [Member] \| Cancellable Shares [Member] \| Del Mar Consulting Group and Alex Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
General and administrative expense recognized in consulting shares		$ 100,000	$ 0	$ 400,000
Letter Agreement [Member] \| Aquilo Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Letter of agreement retainer fee	$ 100,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,272
Sales of common stock, price per share	$ 2.75	$ 2.75		$ 2.75

Public Offering - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 24, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Initial Public Offering And Issuance Of Senior Unsecured Notes [Line Items]
Number of shares, Options exercised			0	0	0	0
Gross proceeds from issuance initial public offering		$ 28.3
Net proceeds from issuance initial public offering		$ 25.8
IPO [Member]
Initial Public Offering And Issuance Of Senior Unsecured Notes [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued		9,090,909
Sales of common stock, price per share		$ 2.75
Over-Allotment Option [Member]
Initial Public Offering And Issuance Of Senior Unsecured Notes [Line Items]
Sales of common stock, price per share	$ 2.75
Number of shares, Options exercised	1,211,827

Private Placement - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2016 shares	Dec. 31, 2015 shares
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Number of shares in a unit	1
Common stock, shares issued		43,058,827	39,833,023
Preferred Stock, shares issued		4,963	0
Warrant exercisable period	5 years
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Number of shares in a unit	1
Shares issued price per share \| $ / shares	$ 2.015
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued upon conversion	1,000
Tranche A Warrant [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Number of warrants	1
Number of shares to be purchased by a warrant	0.4
Exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 2.00
Tranche B Warrant [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Number of warrants	1
Number of shares to be purchased by a warrant	0.2
Exercise price \| $ / shares	$ 3.00
Securities Purchase Agreement [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Number of units in the transaction	8,188,804
Per unit price of private placement \| $ / shares	$ 2.015
Gross proceeds from private placement \| $	$ 16.5
Net proceeds from private placement \| $	$ 15.3
2016 PIPE [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued	3,225,804
2016 PIPE [Member] \| Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, shares issued	4,963

License and Transfer Agreement - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 18, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Research and development expense		$ 4,621,957	$ 2,051,688	$ 12,781,489	$ 5,301,911
License And Transfer Agreement [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Agreement termination notice period	30 days
License And Transfer Agreement [Member] \| Enumeral Biomedical Holdings Inc [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Upfront license fee payment	$ 250,000
Maintenance fee payment	$ 750,000
Agreement termination notice period upon material breach by the Company	60 days
Agreement termination notice period upon breach of payment obligations by the Company	30 days
Agreement termination description				The Definitive Agreement may be terminated by the Company on 30 days' notice and by Enumeral upon 60 days' notice of a material breach by the Company (or 30 days with respect to a breach of payment obligations by the Company), provided that the Company has not cured such breach and dispute resolution procedures specified in the Agreement have been followed.
Research and development expense		$ 0		$ 1,000,000
Maximum [Member] \| License And Transfer Agreement [Member] \| Enumeral Biomedical Holdings Inc [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Development milestones payment	$ 37,800,000
Sales milestones payment	$ 67,500,000
Percentage of reduction in royalty payment	50.00%

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - Sales Agreement [Member] - At the Market Offering [Member] - Cowen And Company Llc [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 10, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Proceeds from equity offering		$ 35
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of shares sold	0