Mergers and Acquisitions - 2014 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 [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
Pro Forma | 2014 Business Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues											119,721
Loss before income taxes											(82,041)
Net loss											(81,938)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests											4,159
Net loss attributable to Intrexon											$ (77,779)