Spin-Off from Innoviva, Inc. (Details) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 02, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 01, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Spin-Off from Innoviva, Inc.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities contributed from Innoviva		$ 393,000
Number of shares of Theravance Biopharma issued for every share of Innoviva	0.286
Allocation of net book value of assets transferred pursuant to spin-off
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 277,541		$ 344,709	$ 112,707	$ 89,215	$ 0
Marketable investment securities	115,129		91,565	42,860
Accounts receivable	125		646	1,922
Reimbursement of certain liabilities	16,983
Prepaid and other current assets	3,172
Inventories	14,328		12,220	10,005
Property and equipment, net	9,580		8,460	9,873
Accrued liabilities	(22,342)
Deferred revenue	(6,694)		$ (152)	(144)
Other liabilities	(4,944)
Net book value of assets transferred	$ 402,878
TRC LLC Agreement | Innoviva
Allocation of net book value of assets transferred pursuant to spin-off
Percentage of economic interest in any future payments made by GSK to be received			85.00%
Transition Services Agreement | Innoviva
Spin-Off from Innoviva, Inc.
Amount billed to Innoviva			$ 100	400
Amount billed to us by Innoviva			$ 100	$ 500