Intangible assets, in-process research and development and goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cost Basis [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Beginning Balance	$ 76,599,000
Additions	0
Intangible Assets, Ending Balance	76,599,000
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(19,225,000)
Amortization	2,364,000	$ 2,142,000
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(21,589,000)
Net book value of intangible assets	55,010,000
Biodefense [Member]
Cost Basis [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Beginning Balance	55,790,000
Additions	0
Intangible Assets, Ending Balance	55,790,000
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(15,857,000)
Amortization	1,779,000	1,763,000
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	$ (17,636,000)
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	83 months
Net book value of intangible assets	$ 38,154,000
Aptevo [Member]
Cost Basis [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Beginning Balance	20,809,000
Additions	0
Intangible Assets, Ending Balance	20,809,000
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(3,368,000)
Amortization	585,000	379,000
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	$ (3,953,000)
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	94 months
Net book value of intangible assets	$ 16,856,000
Aptevo [Member] | Otlertuzumab [Member]
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Net book value of intangible assets	$ 41,800,000
Aptevo [Member] | IXINITY product candidates [Member]
Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Net book value of intangible assets		$ 8,300,000