Collaboration and Licensing Revenue - Summary of Deferred Revenue by Collaborator (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 210,238	$ 197,729
Upfront and Milestone Payments
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	194,849	181,331
Upfront and Milestone Payments | ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	29,416	30,338
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Oragenics, Inc.
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	8,550	8,813
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Fibrocell Science, Inc.
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	20,840	21,445
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Genopaver, LLC
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	2,181	2,250
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Intrexon Energy Partners, LLC
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	20,000	20,625
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Persea Bio, LLC
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	4,375	4,500
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Ares Trading S.A.
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	51,970	53,567
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Thrive Agrobiotics, Inc.
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	1,575	1,621
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Intrexon Energy Partners II, LLC
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	17,333	17,833
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Exotech Bio, Inc.
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	5,000	0
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Relieve Genetics, Inc.
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	4,333	0
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Intrexon T1D Partners, LLC
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	10,000	0
Upfront and Milestone Payments | Other
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 19,276	$ 20,339