<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.22.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>183</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>348</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>76</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>12</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100020 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100030 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100040 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Deficit</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInRedeemableConvertiblePreferredStockAndStockholdersDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Deficit</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100050 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100060 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100070 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventory</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100080 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100090 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Paycheck Protection Program Loan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePaycheckProtectionProgramLoan</Role>
      <ShortName>Paycheck Protection Program Loan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100110 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100120 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100130 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100140 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100150 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100160 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100170 - Disclosure - Segments and Geographic Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsAndGeographicInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments and Geographic Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100180 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100190 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100210 - Disclosure - Inventory (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoryTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventory</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100220 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100230 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100240 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStock</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100250 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficitTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficit</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100260 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100270 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100280 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100290 - Disclosure - Segments and Geographic Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsAndGeographicInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments and Geographic Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsAndGeographicInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100310 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Revenue Disaggregated by Segment, Product and Geography (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryOfRevenueDisaggregatedBySegmentProductAndGeographyDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Revenue Disaggregated by Segment, Product and Geography (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100320 - Disclosure - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Antidilutive Securities not Included in Diluted Net Loss Per Share Calculation (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDescriptionOfBusinessAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesNotIncludedInDilutedNetLossPerShareCalculationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Antidilutive Securities not Included in Diluted Net Loss Per Share Calculation (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100330 - Disclosure - Inventory - Summary of the Components of Inventories (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventorySummaryOfComponentsOfInventoriesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory - Summary of the Components of Inventories (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100350 - Disclosure - Inventory - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoryAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100360 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentSummaryOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100370 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100380 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfIntangibleAssetsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100410 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Summary of Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfFutureAmortizationExpenseRelatedToIntangibleAssetsSubjectToAmortizationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Summary of Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100420 - Disclosure - Paycheck Protection Program Loan - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePaycheckProtectionProgramLoanAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Paycheck Protection Program Loan - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100430 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100440 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock - Schedule of Authorized, Issued and Outstanding Shares of Non-redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockScheduleOfAuthorizedIssuedAndOutstandingSharesOfNonRedeemableConvertiblePreferredStockDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock - Schedule of Authorized, Issued and Outstanding Shares of Non-redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100450 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock - Description of Convertible Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockDescriptionOfConvertiblePreferredStockAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock - Description of Convertible Preferred Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100460 - Disclosure - Convertible Preferred Stock - Summary of Number of Shares of Common Stock into Each Share of Convertible Preferred Stock Converted (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConvertiblePreferredStockSummaryOfNumberOfSharesOfCommonStockIntoEachShareOfConvertiblePreferredStockConvertedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Preferred Stock - Summary of Number of Shares of Common Stock into Each Share of Convertible Preferred Stock Converted (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100470 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit - Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficitCommonStockAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit - Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100480 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit - Common Stock Warrants - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficitCommonStockWarrantsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit - Common Stock Warrants - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100490 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit - Summary of Shares of Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersDeficitSummaryOfSharesOfCommonStockReservedForFutureIssuanceDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit - Summary of Shares of Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100500 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100510 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Stock Options - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansStockOptionsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Stock Options - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100520 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Changes in Options Outstanding and Related Exercise Prices for Company's Common Stock Options Issued (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansSummaryOfChangesInOptionsOutstandingAndRelatedExercisePricesForCompanySCommonStockOptionsIssuedDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Summary of Changes in Options Outstanding and Related Exercise Prices for Company's Common Stock Options Issued (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100530 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Restricted Stock Awards - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansRestrictedStockAwardsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Restricted Stock Awards - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100540 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Fair Value of Stock Options Grants, Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansFairValueOfStockOptionsGrantsWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Fair Value of Stock Options Grants, Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100550 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansScheduleOfTotalStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Schedule of Total Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100560 - Disclosure - Equity Incentive Plans - Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEquityIncentivePlansStockBasedCompensationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Incentive Plans - Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100570 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100580 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100590 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesReconciliationOfStatutoryFederalIncomeTaxRateAndEffectiveIncomeTaxRateDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100600 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Summary of Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesSummaryOfSignificantComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Summary of Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100610 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100620 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Information Related to Right-of-use Assets and Lease Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesInformationRelatedToRightOfUseAssetsAndLeaseLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Information Related to Right-of-use Assets and Lease Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100630 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfMaturitiesOfLeaseLiabilitiesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100650 - Disclosure - Segments and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsAndGeographicInformationAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100660 - Disclosure - Segments and Geographic Information - Revenues, Expenses and Operating Income (Loss) by Market Segment (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsAndGeographicInformationRevenuesExpensesAndOperatingIncomeLossByMarketSegmentDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments and Geographic Information - Revenues, Expenses and Operating Income (Loss) by Market Segment (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100670 - Disclosure - Segments and Geographic Information - Summary of Significant Revenues in Following Regions (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentsAndGeographicInformationSummaryOfSignificantRevenuesInFollowingRegionsDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Segments and Geographic Information - Summary of Significant Revenues in Following Regions (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="isco-10k_20211231.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100680 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.internationalstemcell.com/20211231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsAdditionalInformationDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-K" original="isco-10k_20211231.htm">isco-10k_20211231.htm</File>
    <File>isco-20211231.xsd</File>
    <File>isco-20211231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>isco-20211231_def.xml</File>
    <File>isco-20211231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>isco-20211231_pre.xml</File>
    <File>isco-ex1012_10.htm</File>
    <File>isco-ex1013_12.htm</File>
    <File>isco-ex1014_9.htm</File>
    <File>isco-ex231_13.htm</File>
    <File>isco-ex311_8.htm</File>
    <File>isco-ex312_7.htm</File>
    <File>isco-ex321_6.htm</File>
    <File>isco-ex322_11.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="588">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2021-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="37">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
