Earning Per share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net loss	$ 194,538	$ (18,659)	$ (17,493)	$ (21,540)	$ (18,272)	$ (17,604)	$ (17,727)	$ (19,658)	$ (53,117)	$ (54,323)	$ (165,297)
Preferred stock dividends	$ (342)	$ (6,074)	$ (5,462)	$ (5,120)	(4,999)	(4,903)	(4,865)	(4,171)	(16,998)	(18,938)	(7,123)
Settlement of a related party relationship									207,361
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders									$ 137,246	$ (73,261)	$ (172,420)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									143,508,674	136,938,264	130,391,463
Earnings per share, basic	$ 1.29	$ (0.13)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)					$ 0.96	$ (0.53)	$ (1.32)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Net loss	$ 194,538	$ (18,659)	$ (17,493)	$ (21,540)	(18,272)	(17,604)	(17,727)	(19,658)	$ (53,117)	$ (54,323)	$ (165,297)
Preferred stock dividends	$ (342)	$ (6,074)	$ (5,462)	$ (5,120)	$ (4,999)	$ (4,903)	$ (4,865)	$ (4,171)	(16,998)	(18,938)	(7,123)
Precigen license transaction									207,361
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders									$ 137,246	$ (73,261)	$ (172,420)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									143,710,160	136,938,264	130,391,463
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options									201,362
Unvested restricted common stock									124
Warrants
Dilutive potential common shares									$ 201,486
Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share									143,710,160	136,938,264	130,391,463
Earnings per share, diluted	$ 1.29	$ (0.13)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)					$ 0.96	$ (0.53)	$ (1.32)