Accrued Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Commercial related	$ 783
Legal and accounting fees	506		$ 354
Deferred rent	721		127
Other	816		940
Total accrued liabilities	$ 2,826	[1]	$ 1,421

[1] Amounts include the assets and liabilities of a consolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”). Portola's interests and obligations with respect to the VIE's assets and liabilities are limited to those accorded to Portola in its agreement with the VIE. See Note 8, “Asset Acquisition and License Agreements,” to these consolidated financial statements.