Earning Per share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (22,772)	$ (20,315)	$ (18,596)	$ (18,293)	$ (15,746)	$ (73,996)	$ (14,620)	$ (13,434)	$ (79,976)	$ (117,796)	$ (53,117)
Preferred stock dividends											(16,998)
Settlement of a related party relationship											207,361
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders									$ (79,976)	$ (117,796)	$ 137,246
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									209,636,456	167,952,114	143,508,674
Earnings per share, basic	$ (0.11)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.43)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.38)	$ (0.70)	$ 0.96
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (22,772)	$ (20,315)	$ (18,596)	$ (18,293)	$ (15,746)	$ (73,996)	$ (14,620)	$ (13,434)	$ (79,976)	$ (117,796)	$ (53,117)
Preferred stock dividends											(16,998)
Precigen license transaction											207,361
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders									$ (79,976)	$ (117,796)	$ 137,246
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									209,636,456	167,952,114	143,508,674
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									209,636,456	167,952,114	143,710,160
Earnings per share, diluted	$ (0.11)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.43)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.38)	$ (0.70)	$ 0.96