Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018		Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 606 (negated)				$ (26,507)
Collaboration and licensing revenues	$ 19,848	[1]	$ 33,065
Net loss	(47,409)		(32,377)
Net loss attributable to Intrexon	(46,165)		(31,399)
Current portion of deferred revenue	38,376	[2]			$ 42,870
Long-term portion of deferred revenue	162,318	[2]			193,527
Accumulated deficit	(867,374)				(847,820)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,737)				(15,554)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	127,377		76,839		75,545	$ 69,594
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Collaboration and licensing revenues	19,848
Net loss	(47,409)
Net loss attributable to Intrexon	(46,165)
Current portion of deferred revenue	38,376
Long-term portion of deferred revenue	162,318
Accumulated deficit	(867,374)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,737)
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Collaboration and licensing revenues	22,444
Net loss	(44,813)
Net loss attributable to Intrexon	(43,569)
Current portion of deferred revenue	42,320
Long-term portion of deferred revenue	182,239
Accumulated deficit	(891,389)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,586)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Collaboration and licensing revenues	(2,596)
Net loss	(2,596)
Net loss attributable to Intrexon	(2,596)
Current portion of deferred revenue	(3,944)
Long-term portion of deferred revenue	(19,921)
Accumulated deficit	24,015
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(151)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-18
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			$ 6,987		$ 7,434	$ 6,987
Accumulated Deficit
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 606 (negated)				(26,611)
Net loss	$ (46,165)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 606 (negated)				$ 104

[1] Collaboration and licensing revenues from related parties, as previously reported, totaled $19,815. The effect of restatement caused a decrease of $3,175, resulting in collaboration and licensing revenues from related parties, as restated, totaling $16,640.

[2] The current and long-term portion of deferred revenue from related parties, as previously reported, totaled $28,684 and $147,708, respectively. The effect of restatement caused decreases of $12,260 and $12,074, respectively, resulting in current and long-term deferred revenue from related parties, as restated, totaling $16,424 and $135,634, respectively.