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, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 01, 2016
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized		30,000,000				30,000,000		30,000,000
Change in derivative liability		$ (165)	$ 183	$ 28	$ 202	$ 46	$ (1,292)
Series 1 Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized		250,000				250,000		250,000
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		$ 160,429				$ 160,429		$ 143,992
Temporary equity, fair value		6,100				16,700
Intrexon Corporation/Precigen
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Embedded conversion liability		$ 900				$ 900
Fair value of Series 1 preferred stock as a component of temporary equity									$ 118,200
Intrexon Corporation/Precigen | Series 1 Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued	100,000	3,847				11,205
Preferred stock, stated value	$ 1,200
Preferred stock, outstanding shares		0				0
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/Precigen | Series 1 Preferred Stock | Before Conversion Event Date
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock monthly dividend payable (per share)						$ 12.00
Intrexon Corporation/Precigen | Series 1 Preferred Stock | Remaining Unconverted Shares
Preferred Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock monthly dividend payable (per share)						$ 24.00