Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 segment	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2018
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Research and development commitments with third parties not incurred		$ 15,369	$ 11,801
Maturity period of highly liquid investment		3 months
Cash equivalent investments in highly liquid money market accounts		$ 47,238	40,155
Maximum risk of loss related to the identified VIEs		1,461	$ 3,341
Number of segments | segment	1
Right-of-use assets		25,228
Operating lease, liability		$ 28,031
Minimum
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Expected useful life of intangible asset		3 years
Maximum
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Expected useful life of intangible asset		18 years
Intrexon Equity Plans
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets					$ 30,000
Operating lease, liability					$ 32,300
Collaboration and licensing agreements
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Required notice period for voluntary termination of collaborative agreement		90 days
Products and services revenues
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Product and service revenues, standard payment terms		30 days
3.5% Convertible Notes Due 2023
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						3.50%