Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands								1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2016	Jan. 08, 2016	Sep. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015	Feb. 03, 2015	Jan. 06, 2011	Sep. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivative liability										$ 1,560
Research and Development Expense										11,967	$ 10,199
Research and Development Service Agreement Aggregate Quarterly Payments										3,800		$ 3,800
Research and Development Service Agreement Aggregate Quarterly Payments										$ 30,000
Series 1 Preferred Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Preferred stock, stated value										$ 1,200				$ 1,200
Temporary equity, fair value										$ 4,200
License Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock in licensing agreement (in shares)										11,722,163			11,722,163
Research and Development Expense										$ 67,300			$ 67,300
Intrexon Corporation
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Stock issued during period						1,440,000
Percentage of commitment for payments from receipts of upfronts, milestones and royalties					50.00%
Commitment to purchase common stock					$ 43,500		$ 50,000
Stock buy back (Shares)				3,711
Stock buy back				$ 34
Share buy back discount on closing price				5.00%
Company re-purchased additional shares		168
Company re-purchased additional shares Value		$ 2
Licensing fee			$ 10,000						$ 115,000
Amounts expensed for services incurred										6,100	$ 5,900
Amount due to related party, current										$ 6,100				$ 3,400
Intrexon Corporation | Series 1 Preferred Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock in licensing agreement (in shares)	100,000									3,216
Preferred stock, stated value	$ 1,200
Dividends, preferred stock	$ 12.00
Intrexon Corporation | 2016 GvHD Amendment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Licensing fee			$ 10,000
Royalty percentage of net profit										20.00%
Research and Development Expense								$ 10,000
Intrexon Corporation | Quarterly Payment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty percentage of net profit							20.00%
Intrexon Corporation | Quarterly Payment | ECP Channel Agreement | After Amendment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty percentage of net profit	20.00%
Intrexon Corporation | Quarterly Payment | ECP Channel Agreement | Before Amendment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty percentage of net profit	50.00%
Intrexon Corporation | Quarterly Payment | 2016 GvHD Amendment | After Amendment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty percentage of net profit	20.00%
Intrexon Corporation | Quarterly Payment | 2016 GvHD Amendment | Before Amendment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty percentage of net profit	50.00%