Share-Based Payments - Schedule of Stock Option Activity (Details) - Intrexon Stock Option Plans - $ / shares	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Number of Shares
Balances at beginning of period (in shares)	11,043,528
Granted (in shares)	4,384,860
Exercised (in shares)	(1,162,843)
Forfeited (in shares)	(2,127,334)
Expired (in shares)	(34,804)
Balances at end of period (in shares)	12,103,407	11,043,528
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	3,369,252
Vested and Expected to Vest at end of period (in shares)	10,177,058
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balances at beginning of period (in usd per share)	$ 32.66
Granted (in usd per share)	29.42
Exercised (in usd per share)	(15.63)
Forfeited (in usd per share)	(43.29)
Expired (in usd per share)	(35.76)
Balances at period end (in usd per share)	31.24	$ 32.66
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price, at end of period (in usd per share)	27.99
Vested and Expected to Vest, weighted average exercise price at end of period (in usd per share)	$ 30.99
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
Balances, weighted average remaining contractual period	8 years 6 months	8 years 5 months 27 days
Exercisable at period end, weighted average remaining contractual period	7 years 2 months 30 days
Vested and Expected to Vest at period end, weighted average remaining contractual period	8 years 4 months 12 days