Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services		$ 11,118	$ 10,777	$ 2,169
Intrexon Stock Option Plan - 2008 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available to grant (in shares)							0
Options outstanding (in shares)		453,371
Intrexon Stock Option Plan - 2013 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available to grant (in shares)		4,747,496
Options outstanding (in shares)		10,929,376
Number of authorized awards (in shares)		18,000,000
Intrexon Stock Option Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options outstanding (in shares)		11,382,747	11,640,383	11,043,528		8,323,544
Term at issuance of option		10 years
Vesting period of option		4 years
Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested awards		$ 68,999
Recognized over weighted-average period		2 years
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in usd per share)		$ 12.19	$ 16.28	$ 25.96
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 2,429	$ 22,704	$ 24,675
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)		$ 28.99	$ 31.25	$ 32.66		$ 22.59
Options exercisable (in shares)		5,306,697
Aqua Bounty 2006 Stock Option Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available to grant (in shares)					0
Aqua Bounty Stock Option Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options outstanding (in shares)		227,203	185,591
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)		$ 9.39	$ 7.89
Options exercisable (in shares)		192,748	181,766
Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Monthly base salary		$ 200
Lock-up period		3 years
Term of compensation arrangement	12 months
Selling, general and administrative | Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services		$ 1,908	$ 1,861	$ 314