Share-Based Payments - Schedule of Stock Option Activity (Details) - Intrexon Stock Option Plans - $ / shares	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Number of Shares
Balances at beginning of period (in shares)	11,640,383
Granted (in shares)	3,020,950
Adjustment due to dividend (in shares)	46,766
Exercised (in shares)	(10,343)
Forfeited (in shares)	(2,058,040)
Expired (in shares)	(7,209)
Balances at end of period (in shares)	12,632,507	11,640,383
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	4,444,346
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balances at beginning of period (in usd per share)	$ 31.25
Granted (in usd per share)	21.32
Adjustment due to dividend (in usd per share)	31.11
Exercised (in usd per share)	(16.93)
Forfeited (in usd per share)	(29.89)
Expired (in usd per share)	(36.72)
Balances at period end (in usd per share)	28.99	$ 31.25
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price, at end of period (in usd per share)	$ 28.73
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
Balances, weighted average remaining contractual period	8 years 2 months 10 days	8 years 2 months 15 days
Exercisable at period end, weighted average remaining contractual period	6 years 10 months 5 days