Fair Value Measurements, Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Transfers from Level 1 to Level 2		$ 0
Transfers from Level 2 to Level 1		0
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities				$ 592,211
Recurring Basis [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	[1]	100,318		54,137
Investment in Regulus Therapeutics Inc.				2,414
Total		856,916		646,348
Recurring Basis [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		529,024	[2]	396,221	[3]
Recurring Basis [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		6,800
Recurring Basis [Member] | Debt Securities issued by U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities	[3]	90,260		55,179
Recurring Basis [Member] | Debt Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		26,774	[4]	29,286	[3]
Recurring Basis [Member] | Debt Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		1,000
Recurring Basis [Member] | Debt Securities issued by States of the U.S. and Political Subdivisions of the States [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities	[5]	110,540		109,111
Recurring Basis [Member] | Debt Securities issued by States of the U.S. and Political Subdivisions of the States [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		2,700		9,300
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Cash equivalents		100,318		54,137
Investment in Regulus Therapeutics Inc.				2,414
Total		127,092		85,837
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		0		0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities issued by U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		0		0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		26,774		29,286
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities issued by States of the U.S. and Political Subdivisions of the States [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		0		0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Cash equivalents		0		0
Investment in Regulus Therapeutics Inc.				0
Total		729,824		560,511
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		529,024		396,221
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities issued by U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		90,260		55,179
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		0		0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities issued by States of the U.S. and Political Subdivisions of the States [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities		$ 110,540		$ 109,111

[1] Included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

[2] At March 31, 2017, $6.8 million was included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheet, with the difference included in short-term investments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

[3] Included in short-term investments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

[4] At March 31, 2017, $1.0 million included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheet, with the difference included in short-term investments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

[5] At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $2.7 million and $9.3 million, respectively, were included in cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheet, with the difference included in short-term investments on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.