Investments in Joint Ventures - Intrexon T1D Partners - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2018 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018 board_seat
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Deferred revenue			$ 79,124,000		$ 69,764,000
Write-off of in-process research and development acquired in asset acquisition			0	$ 8,721,000
Collaboration and licensing agreements
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Deferred revenue			$ 74,431,000		$ 63,284,000
Intrexon T1D Partners, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest	100.00%	50.00%
Maximum additional capital contribution committed		$ 5,000,000
Total number of seats on the joint venture's governing board, internally selected | board_seat						2
Total number of seats on the joint venture's governing board, externally selected | board_seat						3
Stock issued during period, shares, purchase of assets (in shares) | shares	1,933,737
Stock issued during period, value, purchase of assets	$ 18,970,000
Deferred revenue	8,517,000
Write-off of in-process research and development acquired in asset acquisition	$ 10,453,000
Intrexon T1D Partners, LLC | Investors
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest		50.00%
Capital contributions		$ 10,000,000
Maximum additional capital contribution committed		5,000,000
Intrexon T1D Partners, LLC | Collaboration and licensing agreements
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Collaborative arrangement consideration received, value		$ 10,000,000