Commitments and Contingencies - Retention & Guarantees (Details)		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			14 Months Ended
	Jun. 02, 2014	May 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies
Common stock dividend ratio	0.286
Special Long-Term Retention and Incentive Cash Awards Program
Commitments and Contingencies
Share-based compensation expense recognized			$ 1,000,000	$ 7.10000		$ 6,900,000
Total compensation expense to be recognized			$ 9,500,000
Innoviva | Special Long-Term Retention and Incentive Cash Awards Program
Commitments and Contingencies
Timeframe for achievement of performance conditions					6 years
Service-based vesting period		12 months