Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxable income (loss)	$ (600,000)		$ 600,000
Income tax benefit (expense)	0	0	(23,000)	0	0
Operating loss carryforwards	250,200,000		250,200,000
Expiration date of Federal income tax loss carryforwards			2022
Stock Compensation Deductions
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating loss carryforwards	7,600,000		7,600,000
INTREXON CORP
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal and state research and development tax credits	$ 7,000,000		$ 7,000,000