Payments for capital contributions to a subsidiary.

No definition available.

Name:	ions_CapitalContributionToSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	ions_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow for acquisition of buildings (properties) whether for investment or use.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBuildings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from entity's raising of capital via private rather than public placement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOrSaleOfEquityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash inflow associated with loan origination (the process when securing a mortgage for a piece of real property) or lease origination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromLoanOriginations1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash received on stock transaction after deduction of issuance costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedOnTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of subsidiary's or equity investee's stock owned by parent company after stock transaction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleOfStockPercentageOfOwnershipAfterTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=ions_PrimaryResearchAndDevelopmentFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_ManufacturingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=ions_AkceaTherapeuticsIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis=us-gaap_IPOMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis=us-gaap_PrivatePlacementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 19, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Akcea IPO [Abstract]
Gross proceeds from sale of common stock			$ 71,640	$ 0
Subsequent Event [Member]
Akcea IPO [Abstract]
Investment in subsidiary	$ 25,000
Percentage ownership after IPO	68.00%	68.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Primary R&D Facility [Member]
Purchase of Buildings [Abstract]
Payment to acquire building	$ 79,400
Proceeds from mortgage loan	$ 51,300
Interest rate	3.88%
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Primary Manufacturing Facility [Member]
Purchase of Buildings [Abstract]
Payment to acquire building	$ 14,000
Proceeds from mortgage loan	$ 9,100
Interest rate	4.20%
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Akcea [Member]
Akcea IPO [Abstract]
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	$ 182,400
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Akcea [Member] \| IPO [Member]
Akcea IPO [Abstract]
Gross proceeds from sale of common stock	193,800
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Akcea [Member] \| Private Placement [Member]
Akcea IPO [Abstract]
Gross proceeds from sale of common stock	$ 50,000