Other long-term liabilities (note 7) Total Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Fair value of liability classified options (note 12) Liability at beginning of the period Liability at end of the period Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Other expenses, net Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] City Area Code City Area Code Stock-based compensation APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition IPR&D Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets In Process Research and Development [Member] Information by major type or class of indefinite-lived intangible assets. In process investigation of new knowledge useful in developing new product or service or new process or technique or improvement to existing product or process, and translation of knowledge into plan or design for new product or process or for improvement to existing product or process. Performance obligation recognized Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Investments maturity term Short Term Investments Maturity Term Short term investments maturity term. Leases Lessee, Finance Leases [Text Block] Foreign exchange gain (loss) Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Issuance of common shares through employee share purchase plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance (in shares) Maximum Number Of Common Shares Reserved For Issuance Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance under new plan. Risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Long-term investments (note 5) Long-term Investments Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Noncurrent Acquired in-process research and development (note 6) In-process research and development Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Future lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not Yet Commenced, Undiscounted Amount Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not Yet Commenced, Undiscounted Amount Net loss per common share (note 4): Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Finance Expense Finance Expense (Income) [Member] Finance expense (income). Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Pre funded warrants issued in lieu of common shares to underwriters (in shares) Pre Funded Warrants Issued In Lieu Of Common Shares Pre funded warrants issued in lieu of common shares to underwriters. Deferred tax asset Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Grants in period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Issuance of common shares through employee stock purchase plan Proceeds from Issuance of Shares Under Employee Share Purchase Plan Amount of cash inflow from issuance of shares under share-based compensation arrangement. Issuance includes, but is not limited to, employee share purchase plan. Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Grant date fair value (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Proceeds from public offering, net of issuance costs (note 8a) Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Public Offering Proceeds from issuance of common stock public offering. Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Net (purchases) redemptions of short-term and long-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Investments Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Assets Assets [Abstract] Weighted average remaining lease term Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Number of options outstanding (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Issuance of common shares and pre-funded warrants in connection with public offering (Note 8) Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Nature of Operations Nature of Operations [Text Block] Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Imputed interest Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Change in fair value of contingent consideration Contingent Consideration Fair Value Adjustments Contingent consideration fair value adjustments. Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Accumulated other comprehensive loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Total assets Assets Exercised (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Within 1 year Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Next Rolling Twelve Months Operating Lease, Liability, Total Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability Cover page. Cover [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Imputed interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Issuance of common shares on exercise of options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Net loss per common share-basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Number of shares issued to underwriters (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Canada, Dollars Canada, Dollars Customer [Domain] Customer [Domain] General and Administrative Expenses General and Administrative Expense [Member] Total finance lease payments Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Leased assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Current portion of finance lease liability (note 11) Current portion included in other current liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Current Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing items: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Discount rate Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Research and development collaborations (note 9) Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Contract assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 7) Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Aggregate intrinsic value Outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents 1 to 2 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Number of Options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Equity [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Number of renewal options Lessee, Operating Lease, Number Of Renewal Options Lessee, Operating Lease, Number Of Renewal Options Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Milestone revenue Performance Milestone [Member] Performance Milestone [Member] Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Commitments and contingencies (note 13) Commitments and Contingencies Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance increase in percentage Maximum Number Of Common Shares Reserved For Issuance Increase In Percentage Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance increase in percentage. Long-term portion of deferred revenue (note 9) Contract with Customer, Liability, Noncurrent Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Basic and diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Warrant exercise price (in dollars per share) Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights Impairment of intangible assets Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Investments Investment [Text Block] Drug supply revenue Drug Supply Revenue [Member] Drug Supply Revenue Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity File Number Entity File Number Shares available for issuance under the Original Plan vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Shares granted with respect to maximum fixed amount equal, percentage Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Outstanding Stock Maximum Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Sale of Stock [Domain] Sale of Stock [Domain] Recognition of upfront fee Up-front Technology Access Fee [Member] Up-front Technology Access Fee Stock-based compensation (recovery) expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Current portion of operating lease liability (note 11) Current portion Operating Lease, Liability, Current Summary of Calculation of Diluted Loss Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Operating lease liabilities Increase Decrease in Operating Lease Liabilities Increase decrease in operating lease liabilities. Underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses Payments of Stock Issuance Costs Employee compensation and vacation accruals Employee-related Liabilities, Current Long-term prepaid assets Prepaid Expense, Noncurrent Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Term of contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Acquisition of intangible assets Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets 2 to 3 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Schedule of Estimated Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Schedule of Revenue Recognized from Strategic Partnerships Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table Text Block] Schedule of Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Building Building [Member] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options (in shares) Common Stock Shares Issuable Upon Exercise Of Stock Option Common stock shares issuable upon exercise of stock option. Long-term GICs Long-term Guaranteed Investment Certificates [Member] Long-term Guaranteed Investment Certificates Loss from operations Operating Income (Loss) Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Short Term Investments [Table] Short Term Investments [Table] Short term investments. Deferred financing fees Deferred Financing Fee Deferred financing fee. Liability for contingent consideration (note 12) Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Noncurrent Goodwill (note 6) Goodwill Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Other Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified stock options Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified stock options Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified stock options. Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Warrants issued price (in dollars per share) Warrants Issued Price Per Pre Funded Warrant Warrants issued price per pre funded warrant. After Amendment Restatement Adjustment [Member] Restatement [Domain] Restatement [Domain] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Beginning balance (in dollars per share) Ending balance (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Short-term GICs Short-term Guaranteed Investment Certificates [Member] Short-term Guaranteed Investment Certificates Stock-based compensation for equity classified instruments Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Income Allocated share based compensation expense (income). Options granted under original plan exercisable period Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Exercisable Period Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award exercisable period. Over-Allotment Option Over-Allotment Option [Member] Liabilities Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee [Line Items] Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee [Line Items] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Acquisition of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Accrued legal and professional fees Accrued Legal And Professional Fees, Current Accrued legal and professional fees, current. Schedule of Other Long-term Liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block] Changes in non-cash operating working capital: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Common shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Weighted-average common shares outstanding (note 4): Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Research support and other payments Other Product [Member] Other Product Customer [Axis] Customer [Axis] Unrealized foreign currency loss (gain) Unrealized Foreign Currency Loss (Gain) Liability Classified Stock Options Unrealized foreign currency loss (gain) liability classified stock options. Director Director [Member] Reclassification to liabilities from equity Reclassification To Liability From Equity Reclassification to Liability from Equity Liability at the beginning of the period Liability at end of the period Contingent Consideration Liability Fair Value Disclosure Contingent Consideration Liability Fair Value Disclosure Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Other current liabilities Total Other Liabilities, Current Schedule of Balance Sheet Classification of Lease Liabilities Schedule of Lease Liabilities Classification [Table Text Block] Schedule of lease liabilities classification. Sale of Stock [Axis] Sale of Stock [Axis] Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Financial liabilities measured at fair value Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Title of Individual [Domain] Title of Individual [Domain] Receivable [Domain] Receivable [Domain] Total operating lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Deferred tax liability Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Sale of Stock by Subsidiary or Equity Investee [Table] Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Sale of Stock by Subsidiary or Equity Investee [Table] Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable [Member] Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Total lease liabilities Lease Liability Lease Liability Operating lease expense Operating Lease, Expense Purchase of shares under ESPP, maximum limit for each employee Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Amount Total other income (expense), net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Contingent Consideration Liability [Roll Forward] Contingent Consideration Liability [Roll Forward] Contingent Consideration Liability 1 to 2 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Forfeited (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Maximum eligible employees contribution under ESPP Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate Schedule of Stock-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Percentage of discounted purchase price of average market price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Issuance of common shares on exercise of options (in shares) Exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period 4 to 5 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Extension term Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term Total current assets Assets, Current Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Deferred financing fees Payments Of Deferred Financing Fees Payments Of Deferred Financing Fees Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Net loss and comprehensive loss Net loss Basic and diluted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Proceeds from stock options exercised Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Offering Offering [Member] Offering. Common shares Common Stock [Member] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Summary of Changes in Fair Value of the Company's Liability for Contingent Consideration Changes In Fair Value Of Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block] Changes In Fair Value Of Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block] Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Interest income Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net General and administrative General and administrative expenses General and Administrative Expense Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Remaining unamortized compensation expense, weighted-average period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] License Agreements Research Collaborations And Development Agreements [Abstract] License Agreements Research Collaborations And Development Agreements [Abstract] License Agreements Research Collaborations And Development Agreements [Abstract] Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Accrued research expenses Accrued Research Expenses Current Accrued research expenses, current. Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Canadian Dollar Under the New Option Stock Plan CAD Dollars Under The New Stock Option Plan [Member] CAD dollars under the new stock option plan. Common shares issued (in shares) Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Total operating expenses Costs and Expenses Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Compensation charge Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense 4 to 5 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, plan modification, description and terms Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Description and Terms Items not involving cash: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Amortization and impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset Amortization And Impairment Operating lease right of use asset amortization and impairment Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type [Axis] Net loss per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Long-term portion of operating lease liability (note 11) Long-term portion Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Total amount contributed by ESPP participants Contributions To Employee Share Purchase Plan contributions to employee share purchase plan. Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Currency [Axis] Currency [Axis] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Total finance lease liabilities Finance lease liabilities Finance Lease, Liability Granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Unamortized compensation expense related to unvested options Share Based Compensation By Share Based Payment Award Unamortized Compensation Expense Share based compensation by share based payment award unamortized compensation expense. Change in fair value of liability classified equity instruments Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified equity instruments Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified equity instruments. Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Issuance of common shares through employee stock purchase plan Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Issuance of common shares and warrants in connection with public offering (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Net proceeds from issuance Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction Shareholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Number of shares issued (in shares) Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction Restricted Share Units (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Revenue Revenues [Abstract] Research and Development Expense Research and Development Expense [Member] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Short-Term Investments [Line Items] Short Term Investments [Line Items] Short-term investments. Schedule of Other Current Liabilities Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Total liabilities Liabilities Other Other Nonoperating Expense Restatement [Axis] Restatement [Axis] Schedule of Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Line Items] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Line Items] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Common shares, no par value; unlimited authorized shares at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; 45,533,201 and 39,564,529 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively (note 8b) Common Stock, Value, Issued Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Investments interest rate Investment Interest Percentage Investment interest percentage. Research and development Research and development expenses Research and Development Expense Other income (expenses), net (note 10) Total other income and expense Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Issuance of common shares on exercise of options (note 8e) Proceeds, Issuance of Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Including Option Exercised BRITISH COLUMBIA BRITISH COLUMBIA Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Cash paid for measurement of operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Payments Expected volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Liability classified stock options Liability Classified Stock Options [Member] Liability classified stock options. U.S Dollar Under the New Option Stock Plan U S dollars under the New Stock Option Plan [Member] Us dollars under the new stock option plan. Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Thereafter Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Rolling Year Five Fixed lease payment Fixed Lease Payment Fixed lease payment. Research, Collaboration and Licensing Agreements Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block] Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Leases Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block] Non-cash consideration from licensing agreement Licensing Agreement, Noncash Consideration Licensing Agreement, Noncash Consideration United States of America, Dollars United States of America, Dollars Acquisition of property and equipment in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Net loss attributable to common shareholders: Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Total shareholders’ equity Beginning balance Ending balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Other Other Nonoperating Income Deferred revenue Contract with Customer, Liability IPR&D and Goodwill Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] 3 to 4 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four All Currencies [Domain] All Currencies [Domain] Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly And Company [Member] Eli lilly and company. Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Liability for Contingent Consideration Liability for Contingent Consideration [Member] Liability for contingent consideration. Maximum Maximum [Member] Deferred income tax expense Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table] Credit risk maximum exposure Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Financial Instrument, Maximum Exposure 2 to 3 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Weighted- Average Contractual Term (years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Commercial paper Commercial Paper Shares issue price (in dollars per share) Shares Issued, Price Per Share Forecast Forecast [Member] Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Other Other [Member] Others. Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Fair value adjustments upon reclassification of options to liabilities Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Fair Value Adjustment Upon Reclassification of Stock Options Adjustments to additional paid in capital fair value adjustment upon reclassification of stock options. Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Bei Gene Bei Gene [Member] Bei Gene [Member] Operating Cash Flows, Direct Method [Abstract] Operating Cash Flows, Direct Method [Abstract] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Variable lease payment Variable Lease, Payment Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities 3 to 4 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Liability Classified Stock Options Schedule Of Change In Fair Value Of Liability Classified Stock Options[Table Text Block] Schedule of change in fair value of liability classified stock options. Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment Depreciation And Amortization On Property And Equipment Depreciation And Amortization On Property And Equipment Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Exercise of options Exercise of Liability Classified Options Exercise of liability classified options. Expected average life of options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Minimum Minimum [Member] Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Short-term investments (note 5) Short-term Investments Finance lease payments Finance Lease, Principal Payments Finance expenses Finance Expense Income Finance expense (income). Goodwill impairment loss Goodwill, Impairment Loss Derivative Liability Roll Forward [Roll Forward] Derivative Liability Roll Forward [Roll Forward] Derivative Liability Roll Forward Finance lease liability (note 11) Long-term portion included in other long-term liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Trade payables Accounts Payable, Trade, Current Financial Instruments Financial Instruments Disclosure [Text Block] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due, Rolling Maturity [Abstract] Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due, Rolling Maturity [Abstract] Prior to Amendment Previously Reported [Member] Summary of Stock Options Granted Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block] Within 1 year Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Rolling Twelve Months Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Dividend yield Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Employees Stock Purchase Plan Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member] Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member] Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit)