Agreement maintenance fee

No definition available.

Name:	plx_AgreementMaintenanceFee
Namespace Prefix:	plx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Commitment amount.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plx_CommitmentAmount
Namespace Prefix:	plx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	plx_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	plx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Consideration for license.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plx_ConsiderationForLicense
Namespace Prefix:	plx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percetnage aggregate royalties should not exceed grant amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plx_MaximumAggregatePaymentsOfRoyaltiesToGrantReceived
Namespace Prefix:	plx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Monthly rent/lease expense.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plx_MonthlyRentLeaseExpense
Namespace Prefix:	plx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of royalties based on sale of products developed from projects funded.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plx_RoyaltiesOnSaleOfProducts
Namespace Prefix:	plx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for royalties.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 5

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccruedRoyaltiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b(i)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 122

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph (Note 3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the forth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Rental expense for the reporting period incurred under operating leases, including minimum and any contingent rent expense, net of related sublease income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41499-112717

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense related to royalty payments under a contractual arrangement such as payment for mineral and drilling rights and use of technology or intellectual property.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RoyaltyExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of an asset, typically cash, provided to a counterparty to provide certain assurance of performance by the entity pursuant to the terms of a written or oral agreement, such as a lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8,17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecurityDeposit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

COMMITMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Subcontracting commitment amount	$ 1,300
OCS [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty expense included in cost of revenue	1,500	158	769
Research And License Agreements [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty expense included in cost of revenue	674	19	115
Probable Aggregate Milestone Payment [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty expense included in cost of revenue	1,000
Milestone Payments [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalty expense included in cost of revenue			100
Consideration for license	700
Lease Agreements [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Monthly rent/lease expense	82
Cash deposited as bank guarantee	298
Lease/rent expense	971	994	891
Future minimum lease payments, 2013	976
Future minimum lease payments, 2014	968
Future minimum lease payments, 2015	985
Future minimum lease payments, 2016	823
Vehicle Lease And Maintenance Agreements [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Monthly rent/lease expense	49
Future minimum lease payments, 2013	526
Future minimum lease payments, 2014	385
Future minimum lease payments, 2015	175
Yissum Agreement [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreement maintenance fee	20
Percentage amount the aggregate amount of royalties that should not exceed grant received	12.00%
Minimum [Member] \| OCS [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalties based on sale of products developed from funded projects, percentage	3.00%
Maximum [Member] \| OCS [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalties based on sale of products developed from funded projects, percentage	6.00%
Percentage amount the aggregate amount of royalties that should not exceed grant received	100.00%
Accrued royalties	$ 21,300
Maximum [Member] \| Products Manufactured Outside Of Israel [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Royalties based on sale of products developed from funded projects, percentage	300.00%