Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Gain on contingent liabilities									$ (8,121)	$ 0	$ 0
Research and development expenses									42,175	31,343	23,983
Operating costs and expenses	$ 21,823	$ 14,491	$ 45,613	$ 23,002	$ 18,997	$ 36,738	$ 11,706	$ 11,154	104,929	78,595	38,567
Net loss attributable to Sorrento	$ (17,859)	$ 15,891	$ (43,305)	$ (15,650)					$ (60,923)	$ (45,811)	$ (34,657)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted per share attributable to Sorrento	$ (0.30)	$ 0.24	$ (0.93)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.62)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.29)	$ (1.21)	$ (1.24)	$ (1.30)
Gain on contingent consideration									$ 991
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Gain on contingent liabilities		$ 1,700	$ 1,700	$ 2,700
Research and development expenses		200	100
Operating costs and expenses		14,491	45,613	23,002
Net loss attributable to Sorrento		$ 15,891	$ (43,305)	$ (15,650)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted per share attributable to Sorrento		$ 0.24	$ (0.93)	$ (0.41)
Gain on contingent consideration				$ 991
Previously Reported [Member]
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Operating costs and expenses		$ 16,000	$ 47,300	25,700
Net loss attributable to Sorrento		$ 14,400	$ 44,900	$ 18,400
Net loss per share - basic and diluted per share attributable to Sorrento		$ 0.22	$ (0.97)	$ (0.48)