Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Collaboration and license revenue	$ 9,322	$ 2,912	$ 21,811	$ 7,656
Operating expenses:
Research and development	87,209	48,405	190,822	140,563
Selling, general and administrative	13,556	10,071	45,374	27,987
Total operating expenses	100,765	58,476	236,196	168,550
Loss from operations	(91,443)	(55,564)	(214,385)	(160,894)
Interest and other income, net	407	406	1,036	495
Net loss	(91,036)	(55,158)	(213,349)	(160,399)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (SRX Cardio)	(1,853)		(1,853)
Net loss attributable to Portola	$ (92,889)	$ (55,158)	$ (215,202)	$ (160,399)
Net loss per share attributable to Portola common stockholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (1.64)	$ (1.05)	$ (3.81)	$ (3.12)
Shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Portola common stockholders:
Basic and diluted	56,508,426	52,576,005	56,459,418	51,428,117