Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 41,498	$ 53,367	$ 44,891	$ 33,849	$ 31,092	$ 21,197	$ 11,787	$ 7,854	$ 173,605	$ 71,930	$ 23,760
Operating loss	(34,395)	(7,916)	(17,430)	(87,123)	(18,961)	(15,047)	(18,082)	(17,872)	(146,864)	(69,962)	(58,023)
Net income (loss)	(33,275)	(39,029)	(41,494)	25,804	17,932	(53,862)	(52,935)	3,249	(87,994)	(85,616)	(40,908)
Net income (loss) attributable to Intrexon	$ (32,714)	$ (38,213)	$ (40,663)	$ 27,097	$ 18,831	$ (52,725)	$ (52,043)	$ 4,115	$ (84,493)	$ (81,822)	$ (38,980)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders per share, basic (in usd per share)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.34)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.26	$ 0.19	$ (0.53)	$ (0.53)	$ 0.04
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders per share, diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.34)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.25	$ 0.18	$ (0.53)	$ (0.53)	$ 0.04