Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Collaboration and license revenue	$ 3,828	$ 9,322	$ 12,743	$ 21,811
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales	155		155
Research and development	55,273	87,209	135,210	190,822
Selling, general and administrative	28,856	13,556	64,206	45,374
Total operating expenses	84,284	100,765	199,571	236,196
Loss from operations	(80,456)	(91,443)	(186,828)	(214,385)
Interest and other income (expense), net	663	407	952	1,036
Interest expense	(3,148)		(8,243)
Net loss	(82,941)	(91,036)	(194,119)	(213,349)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (SRX Cardio)	5	(1,853)	(190)	(1,853)
Net loss attributable to Portola	$ (82,936)	$ (92,889)	$ (194,309)	$ (215,202)
Net loss per share attributable to Portola common stockholders:
Basic and diluted	$ (1.41)	$ (1.64)	$ (3.38)	$ (3.81)
Shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Portola common stockholders:
Basic and diluted	58,940,764	56,508,426	57,569,593	56,459,418