Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended				2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		50 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 claim	Jul. 31, 2016 claim	May 31, 2016 claim	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016 claim	Dec. 31, 2017 claim	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Licensing and patent infringement suit
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded to TransOva | $				$ 528
Cumulative payments for royalties | $								$ 3,170
Royalty payments not yet deposited | $				2,759				$ 2,759
Hoffman v Intrexon Corporation et al. and Gibrall v. Intrexon Corporation et al.
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits			2
Shareholder demand regarding Third Security Services Agreement and CEO Compensation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of similar lawsuits		2
Shareholder demand regarding allegations made by Seeking Alpha financial blog
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits	1				2
XY, LLC | Licensing and patent infringement suit
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded against TransOva | $				$ 6,066
Claims dismissed						9
Total claims						12
Claims pending resolution						3
Selling, general and administrative | Licensing and patent infringement suit
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement expense | $							$ 4,228