Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services					$ 5,710
Fair value of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis			$ 269,759		269,759		$ 335,307
Other nonoperating income			4,879	$ 676	5,474	$ 1,237
Third Security, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expense for services			$ 358	$ 99	$ 424	$ 145
Initial term of services agreement		1 year
Shares issued as payment for services (in shares)			106,891	85,300	210,821	165,170
Shares issued as payment for services			$ 2,216	$ 2,143	$ 4,255	$ 4,410
Third Security, LLC | Common Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expense for services		$ 800
Oragenics, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Promissory note, interest rate, stated percentage	12.00%
Harvest Intrexon Enterprise Fund I, LP
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Other nonoperating income			623	$ 613	1,226	$ 1,258
Other Assets | Oragenics, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Promissory note receivable	$ 2,400
Convertible Note and Warrants | Other Assets | Fibrocell Science, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis			$ 5,912		$ 5,912		$ 1,642
Third Security, LLC | Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership interest			100.00%		100.00%