Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jul. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized		30,000,000	30,000,000		30,000,000
Change in fair value of derivative liability		$ 21	$ 21
Series 1 Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized		250,000	250,000		250,000
Preferred stock, shares issued		103,063	103,063		0
Preferred stock, stated value		$ 1,200	$ 1,200		$ 1,200
Maximum percentage of common stock issuable upon conversion of preferred stock			19.90%
Fair value of Series 1 preferred stock as a component of temporary equity		$ 121,812	$ 121,812
Temporary equity, fair value		3,600	3,600
Intrexon Corporation
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Embedded conversion liability		$ 700	$ 700
Fair value of Series 1 preferred stock as a component of temporary equity				$ 118,400
Intrexon Corporation | Series 1 Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued	100,000	3,063	3,063
Preferred stock, stated value	$ 1,200
Preferred stock, conversion rate			$ 1.00
Maximum percentage of common stock issuable upon conversion of preferred stock			19.90%
Preferred stock monthly dividend payable (per share)	$ 12.00
Intrexon Corporation | Series 1 Preferred Stock | Before Conversion Event Date
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock monthly dividend payable (per share)			$ 12.00
Intrexon Corporation | Series 1 Preferred Stock | Remaining Unconverted Shares
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock monthly dividend payable (per share)			$ 24.00