Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services	$ 10,695	$ 11,118	$ 10,777
Intrexon Equity 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)	410,909
Intrexon Equity Plan - 2013 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available to grant (in shares)	5,086,700
Options outstanding (in shares)	10,682,154
Number of authorized awards (in shares)	20,000,000
Restricted stock units outstanding (in shares)	970,341	0
Unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock unit awards	$ 9,641
Intrexon Equity Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options outstanding (in shares)	11,093,063	11,382,747	11,640,383		11,043,528
Term at issuance of option	10 years
Vesting period of option	4 years
Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock option awards	$ 37,353
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in usd per share)	$ 7.94	$ 12.19	$ 16.28
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 356	$ 2,429	$ 22,704
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$ 27.95	$ 28.99	$ 31.25		$ 32.66
Options exercisable (in shares)	7,002,519
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)	339,964	227,203
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$ 7.09	$ 9.39
Options exercisable (in shares)	303,986	192,748
Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Monthly base salary	$ 200
Lock-up period	3 years
Selling, general and administrative | Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services	$ 1,956	$ 1,908	$ 1,861
Options | Intrexon Equity Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized over weighted-average period	2 years
Restricted stock units | Intrexon Equity Plan - 2013 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized over weighted-average period	3 years