Intangible assets, in-process research and development and goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Cost Basis [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Beginning Balance			$ 68,299,000
Additions			8,300,000
Intangible Assets, Ending Balance	$ 76,599,000		76,599,000
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance			(9,955,000)
Amortization	2,392,000	$ 2,249,000	4,534,000	$ 3,869,000
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(14,489,000)		(14,489,000)
Net book value of intangible assets	62,110,000		62,110,000
Goodwill, Cost Basis [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance			52,585,000
Goodwill, Additions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	52,585,000		52,585,000
Goodwill, net book value	52,585,000		52,585,000		$ 52,585,000
Biosciences [Member]
Cost Basis [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Beginning Balance			19,500,000
Additions			8,300,000
Intangible Assets, Ending Balance	27,800,000		27,800,000
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance			(2,135,000)
Amortization	763,000	691,000	1,389,000	928,000
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(3,524,000)		$ (3,524,000)
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			95 months
Net book value of intangible assets	24,276,000		$ 24,276,000
Biosciences [Member] | Biosciences Therapeutics [Member]
Goodwill, Cost Basis [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance			13,902,000
Goodwill, Additions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	13,902,000		13,902,000
Biosciences [Member] | Otlertuzumab [Member]
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Net book value of intangible assets	41,800,000		41,800,000
Biosciences [Member] | Biosciences contracts manufacturing [Member]
Goodwill, Cost Basis [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance			6,736,000
Goodwill, Additions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	6,736,000		6,736,000
Biodefense [Member]
Cost Basis [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Beginning Balance			48,799,000
Additions			0
Intangible Assets, Ending Balance	48,799,000		48,799,000
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance			(7,820,000)
Amortization	1,629,000	$ 1,558,000	3,145,000	$ 2,941,000
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(10,965,000)		$ (10,965,000)
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			92 months
Net book value of intangible assets	37,834,000		$ 37,834,000
Biodefense [Member] | Evolva Holding SA 035 [Member]
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Net book value of intangible assets	10,500,000		10,500,000
Biodefense [Member] | Biodefense therapeutics [Member]
Goodwill, Cost Basis [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance			22,031,000
Goodwill, Additions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	22,031,000		22,031,000
Biodefense [Member] | Biodefense medical devices [Member]
Goodwill, Cost Basis [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance			9,916,000
Goodwill, Additions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 9,916,000		$ 9,916,000