Investments in Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) board_seat	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Investment				$ 3,790,000	$ 3,220,000
Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Membership interest	50.00%
Maximum additional capital contribution committed	$ 25,000,000
Additional capital contributions committed, remaining commitment				$ 20,426,000
Number of board members designated by the Company | board_seat				2
Number of board members not designated by the Company | board_seat				3
Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC | Investors
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Membership interest	50.00%
Initial capital contribution	$ 25,000,000
Maximum additional capital contribution committed	25,000,000
Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC | Other Accrued Liabilities
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Investment				$ (1,591,000)	(740,000)
OvaXon, LLC
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Membership interest		50.00%
Initial capital contribution		$ 1,500,000
Number of board members designated by the Company | board_seat				2
Number of board members not designated by the Company | board_seat				2
OvaXon, LLC | Other Accrued Liabilities
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Investment					(83,000)
OvaXon, LLC | Investments In Affiliates
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Investment				$ 242,000
S & I Ophthalmic, LLC
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Membership interest			50.00%
Initial capital contribution			$ 5,000,000
Number of board members designated by the Company | board_seat				2
Number of board members not designated by the Company | board_seat				2
S & I Ophthalmic, LLC | Investments In Affiliates
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Investment				$ 1,881,000	$ 3,220,000
Upfront | Upfront and Milestone Payments | Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC
Schedule Of Investments In Joint Venture [Line Items]
Collaborative arrangement consideration received, value	$ 25,000,000