Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services					$ 8,440
Fair value of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis			$ 226,215		226,215		$ 335,307
Other nonoperating income			(1,021)	$ (32)	4,453	$ 1,205
Third Security, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expense for services			$ 4	$ 156	$ 428	$ 301
Initial term of services agreement		1 year
Shares issued as payment for services (in shares)			118,828	89,326	329,649	254,496
Shares issued as payment for services			$ 2,251	$ 2,132	$ 6,506	$ 6,542
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			613	$ 613	1,839	$ 1,871
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			$ 4,172		$ 4,172		$ 1,642
Third Security, LLC | Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership interest			100.00%		100.00%