Earning Per share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (15,746)	$ (73,996)	$ (14,620)	$ (13,434)	$ 194,538	$ (18,659)	$ (17,493)	$ (21,140)	$ (117,796)	$ (53,117)	$ (54,323)
Preferred stock dividends					$ (342)	$ (6,074)	$ (5,462)	$ (5,120)		(16,998)	(18,938)
Settlement of a related party relationship										207,361
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders									$ (117,796)	$ 137,246	$ (73,261)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									167,952,114	143,508,674	136,938,264
Earnings per share, basic	$ (0.09)	$ (0.43)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.08)	$ 1.29	$ (0.13)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.70)	$ 0.96	$ (0.53)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (15,746)	$ (73,996)	$ (14,620)	$ (13,434)	$ 194,538	$ (18,659)	$ (17,493)	$ (21,140)	$ (117,796)	$ (53,117)	$ (54,323)
Preferred stock dividends					$ (342)	$ (6,074)	$ (5,462)	$ (5,120)		(16,998)	(18,938)
Precigen license transaction										207,361
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders									$ (117,796)	$ 137,246	$ (73,261)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									167,952,114	143,508,674	136,938,264
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options										201,362
Unvested restricted common stock										124
Dilutive potential common shares										201,486
Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share									167,952,114	143,710,160	136,938,264
Earnings per share, diluted	$ (0.09)	$ (0.43)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.08)	$ 1.29	$ (0.13)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.70)	$ 0.96	$ (0.53)