Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Jul. 01, 2016
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized		30,000,000		30,000,000		30,000,000
Change in fair value of derivative liability		$ 202	$ 21	$ (1,292)	$ 21
Series 1 Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized		250,000		250,000
Preferred stock, shares issued		116,127		116,127		106,184
Preferred stock, stated value		$ 1,200		$ 1,200		$ 1,200
Maximum percentage of common stock issuable upon conversion of preferred stock				19.90%		19.90%
Fair value of Series 1 preferred stock as a component of temporary equity		$ 139,065		$ 139,065		$ 125,321
Temporary equity, fair value		4,900		4,900
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	3,414		3,414
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