Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' and Total Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Total Intrexon Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		122,087,040
Balances at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 546,545	$ 0	$ 1,397,005	$ (15,554)	$ (847,820)	$ 533,631	$ 12,914
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting pronouncements	26,507			(104)	26,611	26,507
Stock-based compensation expense	11,362		11,340			11,340	22
Shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units and for exercises of stock options and warrants (in shares)		21,722
Shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units and for exercises of stock options and warrants	324		74			74	250
Shares issued as payment for services (in shares)		230,614
Shares issued as payment for services	2,941		2,941			2,941	0
Shares and warrants issued in public offerings, net of issuance costs (in shares)		6,900,000
Shares and warrants issued in public offerings, net of issuance costs	87,990		82,374			82,374	5,616
Adjustments for noncontrolling interests	0		(818)			(818)	818
Net loss	(47,409)				(46,165)	(46,165)	(1,244)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,862			5,921		5,921	(59)
Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		129,239,376
Balances at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 634,122	$ 0	1,492,916	(9,737)	(867,374)	615,805	18,317
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	160,020,466	160,020,466
Balances at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 378,722	$ 0	1,722,012	(28,612)	(1,330,545)	362,855	15,867
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation expense	9,054		8,990			8,990	64
Shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units and for exercises of stock options and warrants (in shares)		286,637
Shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units and for exercises of stock options and warrants	307		57			57	250
Shares issued for accrued compensation (in shares)		150,908
Shares issued for accrued compensation	1,102		1,102			1,102
Shares issued as payment for services (in shares)		157,405
Shares issued as payment for services	831		831			831
Shares and warrants issued in public offerings, net of issuance costs	6,611						6,611
Adjustments for noncontrolling interests	0		(384)			(384)	384
Net loss	(62,136)				(60,709)	(60,709)	(1,427)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 332			287		287	45
Balances (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	160,615,416	160,615,416
Balances at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 334,823	$ 0	$ 1,732,608	$ (28,325)	$ (1,391,254)	$ 313,029	$ 21,794