Mergers and Acquisitions - 2015 Acquisitions - Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Loss before income taxes									$ (194,151)	$ (86,978)	$ (85,719)
Net loss	$ (44,912)	$ (30,011)	$ (50,031)	$ (65,320)	$ (33,275)	$ (39,029)	$ (41,494)	$ 25,804	(190,274)	(87,994)	(85,616)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests									$ 3,662	3,501	3,794
2015 Business Acquisitions | Pro Forma
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues										174,558	73,240
Loss before income taxes										(99,751)	(105,085)
Net loss										(99,594)	(104,577)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests										3,501	3,794
Net loss attributable to Intrexon										$ (96,093)	$ (100,783)