Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' and Total Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income USD ($)	Accumulated Deficit USD ($)	Total Intrexon Shareholders' Equity USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interests USD ($)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 381,343		$ 743,084	$ 52	$ (376,414)	$ 366,722	$ 14,621
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	97,053,712	97,053,712
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense	14,872		14,742			14,742	130
Exercises of stock options and warrants	1,274		1,262			1,262	12
Exercises of stock options and warrants, shares		324,831
Contribution of services by shareholder	1,485		1,485			1,485
Shares issued to nonemployee members of the Board of Directors	486		486			486
Shares issued to nonemployee members of the Board of Directors (in shares)		16,908
Shares issued in private placement	25,000		25,000			25,000
Shares issued in private placement (in shares)		972,004
Shares issued in acquisitions, net	51,682		51,682			51,682
Shares issued in acquisitions, net (in shares)		2,140,837
Adjustments for noncontrolling interests	7,181		(2,411)			(2,411)	9,592
Net loss	(103,548)				(100,653)	(100,653)	(2,895)
Other comprehensive income	67			46		46	21
Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 379,842		$ 835,330	$ 98	$ (477,067)	$ 358,361	$ 21,481
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	100,508,292	100,508,292