Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	Convertible Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	Accumulated Deficit	Total Vaccinex,Inc. Stockholders' Deficit	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ (113,490)		$ 7,684		$ 54,123	$ (11)		$ (187,249)	$ (125,453)	$ 11,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017		53,089,959
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 111,718
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017			5,702,450	1,103,396		836	163
Stock-based compensation	36				36				36
Capital contribution	8,000									8,000
Net loss	(7,862)							(7,862)	(7,862)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	(113,316)		$ 7,684		54,159	$ (11)		(195,111)	(133,279)	19,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2018		53,089,959
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018		$ 111,718
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2018			5,702,450	1,103,396		836	163
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	(113,490)		$ 7,684		54,123	$ (11)		(187,249)	(125,453)	11,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017		53,089,959
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 111,718
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017			5,702,450	1,103,396		836	163
Net loss	(14,470)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	(115,867)		$ 7,684		54,216	$ (11)		(201,719)	(139,830)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2018		53,089,959
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018		$ 111,718
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2018			5,702,450	1,104,096		836	163
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	(113,316)		$ 7,684		54,159	$ (11)		(195,111)	(133,279)	19,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2018		53,089,959
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018		$ 111,718
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2018			5,702,450	1,103,396		836	163
Stock-based compensation	52				52				52
Capital contribution	4,000									4,000
Exercise of stock options	5				5				5
Exercise of stock options, Shares				700
Net loss	(6,608)							(6,608)	(6,608)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018	(115,867)		$ 7,684		54,216	$ (11)		(201,719)	(139,830)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2018		53,089,959
Balance at Jun. 30, 2018		$ 111,718
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2018			5,702,450	1,104,096		836	163
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	15,342			$ 1	208,156	$ (11)		(216,767)	(8,621)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018				11,476,601
Stock-based compensation	60				60				60
Net loss	(9,067)							(9,067)	(9,067)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	6,335			$ 1	208,216	$ (11)		(225,834)	(17,628)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2019				11,476,601		852
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	15,342			$ 1	208,156	$ (11)		(216,767)	(8,621)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018				11,476,601
Net loss	(17,895)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	(2,380)			$ 1	208,329	$ (11)		(234,662)	(26,343)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2019				11,481,056		852
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	6,335			$ 1	208,216	$ (11)		(225,834)	(17,628)	23,963
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2019				11,476,601		852
Conversion of Vaccinex Products LP Units into common shares, Shares				4,455
Stock-based compensation	113				113				113
Net loss	(8,828)							(8,828)	(8,828)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ (2,380)			$ 1	$ 208,329	$ (11)		$ (234,662)	$ (26,343)	$ 23,963
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2019				11,481,056		852