Amendment Flag
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Document Period End Date
Entity [Domain]
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Current Reporting Status
Entity Filer Category
Entity Public Float
Entity Registrant Name
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Legal Entity [Axis]
Document Type
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Roll Forward]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Area of office space under lease agreement
Area of Real Estate Property
Award Type [Axis]
Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
ASU 2014-09 [Member]
Accounts payable
Accounts Payable, Current
Amortization of premium on investments, net
Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments
Accrued liabilities
Accrued Liabilities, Current
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments [Member]
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Additional paid-in capital
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis]
Stock-based compensation expense
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense
Amortization of licenses
Amortization of Intangible Assets
ASSETS
Assets [Abstract]
Total
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure
Total assets
Assets
Total current assets
Assets, Current
Current assets:
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities
Available-for-sale Securities
Gross unrealized gains
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax
Summary of Investments [Abstract]
Gross unrealized losses
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax
Cost
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost
Short-term investments
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Current
Estimated fair value
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale
Balance Sheet Location [Domain]
Balance Sheet Location [Axis]
Basis of Presentation
As Originally Reported Under Topic 605 [Member]
Purchase of property, plant and equipment included in accrued liability
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Money market funds
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Class of Stock [Domain]
Initial Public Offering [Abstract]
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Strategic Collaboration with Novartis
Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares Authorized
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
Number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance (in shares)
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares, Issued
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 125,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively; 85,680,719 and 66,541,629 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
Common Stock, Value, Issued
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]
Comprehensive loss
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Concentration Risk Type [Domain]
Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis]
Concentration Risk Type [Axis]
Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain]
Concentration percentage
Consolidation
Revenue recognized from deferred revenue
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized
Long-term portion of deferred revenue
Contract with Customer, Liability, Noncurrent
Deferred revenue
Contract with Customer, Liability
Contracts receivable
Current portion of deferred revenue
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current
Shares issued upon conversion of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (in shares)
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued
Preferred Stock [Member]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Strategic Partner [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Table]
Summary of Investments
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Table Text Block]
Shares issued upon conversion of line of credit (in shares)
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued
Principal and accrued interest from line of credit converted
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount
Long-term portion of deferred rent
Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent
Depreciation
Depreciation
Effect of Change [Member]
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
Less: receivable from Ionis
Due from Related Parties, Current
Total amount payable to Ionis at period end
Payable balance to Ionis at the beginning of the period
Payable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Due to Related Parties, Current
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
Basic loss per common share owned
Net loss per share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Effect of exchange rates on cash
Accrued compensation
Employee-related Liabilities, Current
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Equity Component [Domain]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability) [Abstract]
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]
Transfers from Level 2 to Level 1
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table]
Measurement Frequency [Axis]
Transfers from Level 1 to Level 2
Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis]
Recurring Basis [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain]
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Financial Instrument [Axis]
Licenses, net
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Translation of Foreign Currency
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]
General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
General and administrative
General and Administrative Expense
Income Statement Location [Domain]
Income Statement Location [Axis]
Loss before income tax expense
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Income tax expense
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Deferred revenue
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability
Contracts receivable
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Asset
Accounts payable
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable
Income taxes payable
Accrued liabilities
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities
Payable to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Increase (Decrease) in Due to Related Parties, Current
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]
Other current and long-term assets
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets
Accrued compensation
Increase (Decrease) in Other Employee-Related Liabilities
Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Axis]
Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Domain]
Interest expense
Interest Expense, Related Party
Investment income
Investment Income, Net
Investment Secondary Categorization [Axis]
Investments by Secondary Categorization [Domain]
IPO [Member]
Initial term of lease
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract
Term of renewal period
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term
Lease Arrangement, Type [Axis]
Lease Arrangement, Type [Domain]
Leases, Operating [Abstract]
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Total liabilities
Liabilities
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Total current liabilities
Liabilities, Current
Noncontrolling Interest [Table]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by Ionis
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent
Financing activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Investing activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Operating activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Distributable losses
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
Net loss
Net loss
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent
New Accounting Pronouncements - Recently Issued
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Purchase of property, plant and equipment included in long-term deferred rent liability
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Fixed Assets Acquired
Acquisition of research and development licenses
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Intangible Assets Acquired
Other income (expense):
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax
OCI, before Reclassifications, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Annual lease payments due in 2019
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months
Loss from operations
Loss from operations
Operating Income (Loss)
Expenses:
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Total operating expenses
Operating Expenses
Annual lease payments due in 2018
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year
Annual lease payments due in 2022
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years
Annual lease payments due thereafter
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter
Annual lease payments due in 2021
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years
Annual lease payments due in 2020
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years
Basis of Presentation and Organization
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]
Basis of Presentation and Organization [Abstract]
Tax benefit for other comprehensive income (loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent
Deposits and other assets
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Other current assets
Other Assets, Current
Currency translation adjustment
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, after Tax
Other current liabilities
Other Liabilities, Current
Other income (expense)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent
Offering costs paid
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs
Purchases of short-term investments
Payments to Acquire Debt Securities, Available-for-sale
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment
Plan Name [Axis]
Plan Name [Domain]
Private Placement [Member]
Investment by Ionis
Proceeds from line of credit from Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Related Party Debt
Proceeds from sale of common stock to Novartis in a private placement
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement
Stock purchased by Ionis
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to Ionis in TTR transaction
Proceeds from Issuance or Sale of Equity
Gross proceeds from sale of common stock in IPO
Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Debt Securities, Available-for-sale
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
License Agreements and Services Agreement with Ionis [Abstract]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction [Domain]
Operating Expenses Generated by Transactions with Ionis [Abstract]
Total expenses generated by transactions with Ionis
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party
Related Party [Domain]
Related Party [Axis]
License Agreements and Services Agreement with Ionis
Related Party Transaction [Axis]
Research and development
Research and development expense
Research and Development Expense (Excluding Acquired in Process Cost)
Research and Development Expenses [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Restricted cash included in deposits and other assets
Restricted Cash
Accumulated deficit
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Revenue
Revenue earned
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Table]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Revenue:
Revenues [Abstract]
Sale of Stock [Domain]
Net proceeds from sale of common stock in IPO
Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction
Revenue [Member]
Operating Expenses Generated by Transactions with Ionis
Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Table]
Basic Loss Per Share
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table Text Block]
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table]
Impact of Adoption of Topic 606
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table]
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross
Stock-Based Compensation Expense [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense
Share-based Compensation
Stock Plans [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted stock unit awards granted (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period
Restricted stock units outstanding (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number
Number of shares available for future grant (in shares)
Options exercisable (in shares)
Options outstanding (in shares)
Number of shares authorized for issuance pursuant to stock awards (in shares)
Equity Award [Domain]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS [Abstract]
Class of Stock [Axis]
Statement [Line Items]
Statement [Table]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Equity Components [Axis]
Shares issued under ESPP (in shares)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Shares purchased by Ionis (in shares)
Shares issued (in shares)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues
Stock Options [Member]
Equity Option [Member]
Total stockholders' equity
Beginning balance
Ending balance
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Stockholders' equity:
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Subsequent Event [Table]
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Subsequent Events
Subsequent Events [Text Block]
Subsequent Event [Member]
Sale of Stock [Axis]
Financial Instruments [Domain]
Type of Arrangement and Non-arrangement Transactions [Axis]
Type of Adoption [Domain]
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Debt Securities Issued by U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Weighted-average shares outstanding owned
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted
Maximum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Ownership [Domain]
Ownership [Axis]
Products and Services [Domain]
Products and Services [Axis]
Range [Domain]
Range [Axis]
Interest paid other than in cash for a line of credit with a related party,. As a noncash item, it is added to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.
Non-Cash Interest Expense for Line of Credit, Related Party
Non-cash interest expense for line of credit with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Future cash outflow to pay for deferred offering costs attributable to an offering of securities that have been incurred.
Unpaid Deferred Offering Costs
Unpaid deferred offering costs
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of deferred rent due within one year or operating cycle.
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Rent
Deferred rent
Non-cash sublicensing expenses under the development, commercialization and license agreement and services agreement with Ionis related to the drugs licensed under the agreement.. As a noncash item, it is added to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.
Non-Cash Sublicensing Expense
Non-cash sublicensing expense
Amount of cash inflow from exercise of stock options granted under share-based compensation arrangement and issuances of stock from employee stock purchase plan.
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised and Employee Stock Purchase Issuances
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options and employee stock purchase plan issuances
Office space for corporate headquarters located in Boston, Massachusetts.
Office Space for Corporate Headquarters [Member]
Office Space for Corporate Headquarters [Member]
The number of times the operating lease can be renewed.
Lessee, Operating Lease, Number of renewal options
Number of renewal options
Amount of the initial letter of credit provided to the lessor to secure obligation under the operating lease.
Operating Lease, Initial letter of credit to secure lease obligation
Initial letter of credit to secure lease obligation
Amount of the letter of credit provided to the lessor to secure obligation under the operating lease on the fifth anniversary of the rent commencement date.
Operating Lease, Letter of credit to secure lease obligation on fifth anniversary of rent commencement date
Letter of credit to secure lease obligation on fifth anniversary of rent commencement date
Amount of the letter of credit provided to the lessor to secure obligation under the operating lease on the third anniversary of the rent commencement date.
Operating Lease, Letter of credit to secure lease obligation on third anniversary of rent commencement date
Letter of credit to secure lease obligation on third anniversary of rent commencement date
The allowance for improvements to renovate the office space included in the lessee's operating lease.
Operating Leases, Tenant improvement allowance
Tenant improvement allowance
Period of time in lessee's operating lease in which the rent is free, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Operating Leases, Period of free rent
Period of free rent
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) is the leading biopharmaceutical company in discovering and developing RNA-targeted therapeutics. Ionis is the parent company of Akcea Therapeutics, Inc.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]
Ionis [Member]
Under the services agreement, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) provides certain services, including, without limitation, general and administrative support services and development support services.
Services Agreement [Member]
Commercial inotersen inventory held by Ionis Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Ionis) acquired in connection with the TTR License Agreement.
Commercial inventory manufactured by related party
Commercial inventory manufactured by Ionis
Business support services provided by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the services agreement. Services include general and administrative services, research and development support services, and specialty services to perform specific projects.
Business support services performed by related party
Services performed by Ionis
Non-cash sublicense fee expenses recognized in the period they are incurred under the development, commercialization and license agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. related to the lipid drugs licensed under the agreement.
Non-cash sublicense fee expenses
Less: non-cash sublicensing expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) to conduct the development of products under the services agreement.
Out-of-pocket expenses paid by related party
Out-of-pocket expenses paid by Ionis
The cash outflow for amounts paid to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) during the period under the development, commercialization and license agreement and services agreement.
Payments to related party
Less: total amounts paid to Ionis during the period
The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufactured by Ionis Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Ionis) in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for a product.
Active pharmaceutical ingredient manufactured by related party
Active pharmaceutical ingredient manufactured by Ionis
Sublicense fee expenses recognized in the period they are incurred under the development, commercialization and license agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. related to the lipid drugs licensed under the agreement.
Sublicense fee expenses
Sublicensing expenses
Term of extension of services agreement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Term of extension for services agreement
Term of extension for services agreement
Maximum period of time between receipt of an invoice and when payment is due under the services agreement with Ionis Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Ionis), in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Payment term after receipt of invoice
Payment term after receipt of invoice
Services Agreement [Abstract]
Services Agreement with Ionis [Abstract]
Development, Commercialization, Collaboration and License Agreement [Abstract]
TTR Development, Commercialization, Collaboration and License Agreement [Abstract]
The percentage of profits and losses from the development and commercialization of inotersen paid to Ionis through the end of the quarter in which the first commercial sale of AKCEA-TTR-LRx occurs.
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of drug 1 paid, tier 1
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of inotersen paid to Ionis, tier 1
The percentage of profits and losses from the development and commercialization of inotersen retained by the Company through the end of the quarter in which the first commercial sale of AKCEA-TTR-LRx occurs.
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of drug 1 retained, tier 1
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of inotersen retained, tier 1
The number of shares issued for the upfront licensing of TEGSEDI (inotersen) and AKCEA-TTR-L.
Shares issued in consideration of upfront licensing fee
Shares issued in consideration of upfront licensing fee (in shares)
The percentage of profits and losses from the development and commercialization of inotersen paid to Ionis on the first day of the first quarter after the first commercial sale of AKCEA-TTR-LRx occurs.
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of drug 1 paid, tier 2
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of inotersen paid to Ionis, tier 2
The maximum amount of payments payable for milestones under the collaboration agreement.
Maximum amount of payments payable for milestones
Maximum amount of payments payable for milestones
The period of time required for the Company to provide written notice requesting termination of the License Agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis), in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Notice period for termination of agreement
The upfront licensing fee paid for the grant of rights under the License Agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis).
Upfront licensing fee paid
Upfront licensing fee paid to Ionis
The percentage of profits and losses from the development and commercialization of AKCEA-TTR-L paid to Ionis.
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of drug 2 paid
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of AKCEA-TTR-L paid to Ionis
The percentage of profits and losses from the development and commercialization of AKCEA-TTR-L retained by the Company.
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of drug 2 retained
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of AKCEA-TTR-L retained
Amount of annual worldwide net sales threshold required for subsequent milestone payments to be paid in cash under the License Agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis).
Annual worldwide net sales threshold required for subsequent milestone payments to be paid in cash
Annual worldwide net sales required for subsequent milestone payments to be paid in cash
Inotersen is an antisense drug designed to reduce the production of transthyretin, or TTR protein, to treat TTR amyloidosis (ATTR), a systemic, progressive and fatal disease.
Inotersen [Member]
Inotersen [Member]
AKCEA-TTR-L is a follow-on drug to inotersen.
AKCEA-TTR-L [Member]
AKCEA-TTR-L [Member]
Inotersen is an antisense drug designed to reduce the production of transthyretin, or TTR protein, to treat TTR amyloidosis (ATTR), a systemic, progressive and fatal disease. AKCEA-TTR-L is a follow-on drug to inotersen.
Inotersen and AKCEA-TTR-L [Member]
Inotersen and AKCEA-TTR-L [Member]
The percentage of profits and losses from the development and commercialization of inotersen retained by the Company on the first day of the first quarter after the first commercial sale of AKCEA-TTR-LRx occurs.
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of drug 1 retained, tier 2
Percentage of profits and losses from development and commercialization of inotersen retained, tier 2
Under the development, commercialization, collaboration and license agreement, or TTR License Agreement, with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis), the Company received rights to commercialize TEGSEDI following receipt of regulatory approval and perform certain other non-commercial activities with respect to TEGSEDI , in each case, in accordance with a global strategic plan; partner on the completion of all pivotal studies, of a follow-on drug to TEGSEDI , AKCEA-TTR-L and perform other non-commercial activities with respect to AKCEA-TTR-L; commercialize AKCEA-TTR-L, following receipt of regulatory approval in accordance with a global strategic plan; share in profits and losses with respect to TEGSEDI and AKCEA-TTR-L; manufacture (including through a third party) each product following receipt of regulatory approval for such product; and sublicense the development and commercialization of either product to third parties or affiliates, with the consent of Ionis.
TTR Development, Commercialization, Collaboration and License Agreement [Member]
TTR License Agreement [Member]
The number of sales milestones under the agreement.
Number of sales milestones
Value of commercial inotersen inventory held by Ionis, which will be paid in cash and recorded as a reduction of additional paid in capital.
Commercial inventory acquired
Commercial inotersen inventory acquired from Ionis
The Company was organized by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Ionis, to focus on developing and commercializing drugs to treat patients with rare and serious diseases.
Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. [Member]
Akcea [Member]
Liability for costs incurred and expensed by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. prior to the closing of the TTR license agreement.
Liability for costs incurred by related party prior to closing of agreement
Costs incurred by Ionis prior to closing of TTR Agreement
Stockholders of the Company's common stock, other than Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Other Stockholders [Member]
Others [Member]
Research and development activities under a contractual arrangement that involves two or more parties that both: (i) actively participate in a joint operating activity and (ii) are exposed to significant risks and rewards that depend on the commercial success of the joint operating activity.
Research and Development Revenue Under Collaborative Agreements [Member]
R&D Under Collaborative Agreement [Member]
Research and Development Under Collaborative Agreement [Member]
Investments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
The entire disclosure for investments, including all tables, and fair value of financial instruments.
Investments and Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]
Investments and Fair Value Measurements
Initial Public Offering [Abstract]
The entire disclosure for the initial public offering of the Company's common stock.
Initial Public Offering [Text Block]
Initial Public Offering
Represents investment securities with an expected maturity of more than one year.
Securities with Maturity of More than One Year [Member]
Securities with Maturity of One to Two Years [Member]
Represents investment securities with an expected maturity of one year or less.
Securities with Maturity of One Year or Less [Member]
Securities with Maturity of One Year or Less [Member]
The 2015 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Restricted Stock Awards, (iv) Restricted Stock Unit Awards, and (v) Stock Appreciation Rights to employees, directors and consultants.
Equity Incentive Plan 2015 [Member]
2015 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
The 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides a means by which Eligible Employees of the Company and certain designated Related Corporations may be given an opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2017 [Member]
2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
The percentage of the total number of shares outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year used to calculate the annual increase in the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), commencing on January 1, 2018 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2027.
Percentage of shares outstanding used to calculate annual increase in number of shares that can be issued
Percentage of shares outstanding used to calculate annual increase in number of shares that can be issued under ESPP
The annual maximum increase in the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), commencing on January 1, 2018 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2027.
Annual maximum increase in number of shares that can be issued
Annual maximum increase in number of shares that can be issued under ESPP (in shares)
Accrued liability for contributions to employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) prior to the enrollment period for shares not yet purchased. Used to reflect the current portion of the liability (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Accrued liability for ESPP plan employee contributions for shares not yet purchased.
Accrued liability for contributions to employee stock purchase plan
The difference between the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments) and the number of shares already issued under the plan.
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Future Issuance
Number of shares available for future issuance (in shares)
Development, Commercialization and License Agreement [Abstract]
Development, Commercialization and License Agreement with Ionis [Abstract]
The second annual sales threshold used to determine sales milestone payments to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
Second annual sales threshold
Second annual sales threshold
The first annual sales threshold used to determine sales milestone payments to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
First annual sales threshold
First annual sales threshold
The period of time patients are under treatment, used to determine the royalty rate to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Term of treatment
Number of years of treatment
The number of subsequent quarters in which equal payments of sales milestones are paid to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
Number of quarters in which equal payments are made
Number of quarters in which equal payments are made
The number of patients participating in a Phase 3 program for the lipid drug, used to determine the royalty rate to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
Number of patients for Phase 3 program
Number of patients for Phase 3 program
The third annual sales threshold used to determine sales milestone payments to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
Third annual sales threshold
Third annual sales threshold
The number of patients worldwide using the lipid drug, used to determine the royalty rate to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
Number of patients worldwide
Number of patients worldwide
Royalty percentage paid to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) on the sales of a lipid drug under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
Royalty percentage paid on sales of lipid drug
Royalty percentage paid on sales of lipid drug
The sales milestone for each sales milestone reached by each lipid drug paid to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) under the development, commercialization and license agreement.
Sales milestone payment
Sales milestone payment
The development, commercialization and license agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ionis) granted exclusive rights to develop and commercialize WAYLIVRA, AKCEA-APO(a)-L, AKCEA-APOCIII-L, and AKCEA-ANGPTL3-L, which are collectively referred to as the Lipid Drugs.
Cardiometabolic Development, Commercialization and License Agreement [Member]
Cardiometabolic Development, Commercialization and License Agreement [Member]
Lipid Drug for a Rare Disease Indication (defined in the agreement as less than 500,000 patients worldwide or an indication that required a Phase 3 program of less than 1,000 patients and less than two years of treatment).
Lipid Drug for Rare Disease Indication [Member]
Lipid Drug for Rare Disease Indication [Member]
Lipid Drug for a Broad Disease Patient Population (defined in the agreement as more than 500,000 patients worldwide or an indication that required a Phase 3 program of 1,000 or more patients and two or more years of treatment).
Lipid Drug for a Broad Disease Patient Population [Member]
Lipid Drug for a Broad Disease Patient Population [Member]
Strategic Collaboration with Novartis [Abstract]
Strategic Collaboration Agreement [Abstract]
Strategic Collaboration with Novartis [Abstract]
The amount of the upfront payment received during the period under the collaboration agreement that was retained by the entity.
Portion of upfront payment retained
Portion of upfront payment retained
The maximum amount of payments receivable for milestones under the collaboration agreement.
Maximum amount of payments receivable for milestones
The license fee payment receivable per drug under the collaboration agreement.
License fee receivable per drug
License fee receivable per drug
The maximum amount of payments receivable for regulatory milestones under the collaboration agreement.
Maximum amount of payments receivable for regulatory milestones
Maximum amount of payments receivable for regulatory milestones
The maximum amount of payments receivable for development milestones under the collaboration agreement.
Maximum amount of payments receivable for development milestones
Maximum amount of payments receivable for development milestones
The amount of the upfront payment received during the period under the collaboration agreement that was paid as a sublicense fee to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Portion of upfront payment paid as sublicense fee
Portion of upfront payment paid as sublicense fee to Ionis
The amount of upfront payments received during the period under the collaboration agreement.
Upfront payment received
Upfront payment received
The maximum amount of payments receivable for commercialization milestones under the collaboration agreement.
Maximum amount of payments receivable for commercialization milestones
The number of drugs with an exclusive option that could be exercised to develop and commercialize the drug and a license fee is paid under the collaboration agreement. The collaboration partner will assume all further global development, regulatory and commercialization activities for the licensed drug.
Number of drugs with exclusive option that could be exercised
Number of drugs with exclusive option that could be exercised
An antisense therapy with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of the lipoprotein ApoCIII.
AKCEA-APOCIII-L [Member]
AKCEA-APOCIII-L [Member]
An antisense therapy with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of the lipoprotein Lp(a).
AKCEA-APO(a)-L [Member]
AKCEA-APO(a)-L [Member]
The next potential milestone payment to be earned under the collaboration agreement.
Next potential milestone payment
Next prospective milestone
Represents information pertaining to the collaboration agreement entered into with Novartis International AG (Novartis) in January 2017 to develop and commercialize AKCEA-APO(a)-L and AKCEA-APOCIII-L.
Collaboration Agreement Entered Into in January 2017 with Novartis [Member]
Novartis [Member]
Royalty percentage received on the sales of a drug by a collaboration partner under the collaboration agreement.
Royalty percentage received on sales of drug
Royalty percentage received on sales of drug
The percentage of license fees, milestone payments and royalties paid as a sublicense fee to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. under the development, commercialization and license agreement and services agreement .
Percentage of license fees, milestone payments and royalties paid as sublicense fee
Percentage of license fees, milestone payments and royalties paid as sublicense fee to Ionis
Development services for AKCEA-APO(a)-L, an antisense therapy with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of the lipoprotein Lp(a).
Development Services for AKCEA-APO(a)-L [Member]
Delivery of AKCEA-APO(a)-L, an antisense therapy with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of the lipoprotein Lp(a).
Delivery of AKCEA-APO(a)-L [Member]
Development services for AKCEA-APOCIII-L, an antisense therapy with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of the lipoprotein ApoCIII.
Development Services for AKCEA-APOCIII-L [Member]
Delivery of AKCEA-APOCIII-L, an antisense therapy with the potential to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from high levels of the lipoprotein ApoCIII.
Delivery of AKCEA-APOCIII-L [Member]
The number of separate performance obligations under the collaboration agreement.
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Number of separate performance obligations
Number of separate performance obligations
The amount of consideration the Company is eligible to earn under the collaboration agreement, including any variable consideration.
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Transaction Price
Transaction price
The total amount of the premium received over the trading price of common stock at the time of purchase.
Premium received on shares issued
Premium received on shares issued by Ionis
The potential premium received if common stock is purchased in the future under a Stock Purchase Agreement (SPA) in conjunction with the collaboration agreement.
Potential premium received if common stock is purchased in the future
Potential premium received if Ionis common stock is purchased in the future
The period of time after inception of the collaboration agreement for an initial public offering (IPO) to be completed, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Period from inception of agreement for IPO to be completed
Number of months from inception of agreement for IPO to be completed
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Organization [Abstract]
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Represents information pertaining to the collaborative arrangement entered into with PTC Therapeutics by Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. in August 2018 to commercialize TEGSEDI and WAYLIVRA in Latin America.
Collaborative Arrangement and Licensing Agreement Entered Into in August 2018 with PTC Therapeutics [Member]
PTC Therapeutics [Member]
Collaborative Arrangement and Licensing Agreement [Abstract]
PTC Therapeutics [Abstract]
Royalty percentage received on the net sales of each drug in Latin America from the collaboration partner under the collaboration agreement.
Royalty percentage received on net sales of each drug in Latin America from collaboration partner
Royalty percentage received on net sales of each drug in Latin America from PTC
The maximum amount of payments receivable per drug or program for regulatory milestone payments under the collaboration agreement.
Maximum amount of payments receivable per drug or program for regulatory milestones
Maximum amount of payments receivable per drug for regulatory milestones
The amount of the upfront payment expected to be received in the near term under the collaboration agreement.
Upfront payment due
Upfront payment due in third quarter of 2018
The total amount of upfront payments expected to be received under the collaboration agreement.
Upfront payment to be received
Upfront payment to be received
Period of time before collaboration partner pays royalties on net sales of product after first commercial sale in Brazil, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
Period before collaboration partner pays royalties on net sales of product after first commercial sale in Brazil
Period before PTC pays royalties on net sales of product after first commercial sale in Brazil
The minimum amount of revenue recognized in Latin America by the collaboration partner before paying royalties.
Revenue recognized by collaboration partner in Latin America before paying royalties
Minimum revenue recognized in Latin America by PTC before paying royalties
The amount of the upfront payment to be paid on the earlier of approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) under the collaboration agreement.
Upfront payment to be paid after approval
Upfront payment to be paid on earlier of FDA or EMA approval of WAYLIVRA
License Agreement Regulatory Milestone [Abstract]
TTR License Agreement Regulatory Milestone [Abstract]
Additional shares of common stock issued to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as payment of regulatory milestone for TEGSEDI as a result of the marketing authorization, or MA, approval for TEGSEDI from the European Commission, or EC.
Additional shares issued as payment of regulatory milestone
Additional shares to be issued as payment of regulatory milestone
Amount of the regulatory milestone payment due to Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for TEGSEDI as a result of the marketing authorization, or MA, approval for TEGSEDI from the European Commission, or EC.
Regulatory milestone payment due
Regulatory milestone payment due
Distributions of earnings to an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.
Distributions to Affiliates
Distribution to Ionis
The number of revenue streams from the collaboration agreement.
Number of revenue streams
Number of revenue streams