Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2018
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued in public or private offerings, net of issuance costs, shares			6,900,000	1,207,980
Value of shares issued in public or private offerings			$ 82,374	$ 13,686		$ 6,611	$ 87,990	$ 13,686
Underwriting discounts and commissions			3,688
Capitalized offering expenses			$ 188
Shares issued in share lending agreement, shares									7,479,431
Shares issued, price per share									$ 13.37
Shares issued for exercises of warrants						$ 313	$ 2,336
Noncash dividend to shareholders								$ 0
Affiliates of Third Security
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued in public or private offerings, net of issuance costs, shares			1,000,000
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Noncash dividend, shares					1,776,557
Noncash dividend to shareholders					$ 22,385
Intrexon Equity Plans
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Adjustment due to dividend (in shares)								46,766
Adjustment due to dividend (in usd per share)								$ 31.11
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Value of shares issued in public or private offerings	$ 6,611		$ 10,616
Shares issued for exercises of warrants		$ 4,316
AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Additional investment in subsidiary		$ 3,077	$ 5,000		$ 25,000