<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>87</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>239</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>38</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010100 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLossUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060100 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/OrganizationBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSelectSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060200 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/Inventory</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060300 - Disclosure - Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/Equipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060400 - Disclosure - Intangible assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/IntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060500 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060600 - Disclosure - Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/RoyaltyObligationAndDeferredLicenseFees</Role>
      <ShortName>Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060700 - Disclosure - Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/Equity</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060800 - Disclosure - Merger with XenneX, Inc</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/MergerWithXennexInc</Role>
      <ShortName>Merger with XenneX, Inc</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060900 - Disclosure - Share Exchange and Contribution Agreement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/ShareExchangeAndContributionAgreement</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Exchange and Contribution Agreement</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061000 - Disclosure - Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Financial Information - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/UnauditedProFormaInterimFinancialInformationNineMonthsEndedSeptember302012And2011</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Financial Information - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>070100 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/OrganizationBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSelectSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080100 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/OrganizationBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSelectSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080300 - Disclosure - Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/EquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080400 - Disclosure - Intangible assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/IntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080500 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080800 - Disclosure - Merger with XenneX, Inc (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/MergerWithXennexIncTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Merger with XenneX, Inc (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081000 - Disclosure - Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Financial Information - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/UnauditedProFormaInterimFinancialInformationNineMonthsEndedSeptember302012And2011Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Financial Information - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090100 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/OrganizationBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSelectSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Select Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090200 - Disclosure - Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/InventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090300 - Disclosure - Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/EquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090400 - Disclosure - Intangible assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/IntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090500 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090600 - Disclosure - Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/RoyaltyObligationAndDeferredLicenseFeesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Royalty Obligation and Deferred License Fees (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090700 - Disclosure - Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/EquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090800 - Disclosure - Merger with XenneX, Inc (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/MergerWithXennexIncDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Merger with XenneX, Inc (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090900 - Disclosure - Share Exchange and Contribution Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/ShareExchangeAndContributionAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Exchange and Contribution Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091000 - Disclosure - Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Financial Information - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/UnauditedProFormaInterimFinancialInformationNineMonthsEndedSeptember302012And2011Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Financial Information - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://biotimeinc.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element btx_PaymentsForAttainingMilestone had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element btx_RoyaltyPercentage had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent had a mix of decimals attribute values: 3 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010100 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 020000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 030000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>btx-20120930.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20120930.xsd</File>
    <File>btx-20120930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20120930_def.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20120930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>btx-20120930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
