Equity Method Accounting for Common Stock of OncoCyte, at fair value (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions		1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Feb. 16, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Feb. 17, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	May 13, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Fair value on investment		$ 73,942		$ 73,942			$ 100,039
Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)								21.7
Fair value on investment		$ 73,900		$ 73,900			$ 100,000
Price per share on NYSE MKT (in dollars per share)		$ 3.40		$ 3.40			$ 4.60
Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Loss from operations	[1]			$ (9,107)	$ (11,016)
Net loss	[1]			(6,287)	$ (10,262)
Condensed Balance Sheet information [Abstract]
Current assets	[2]	$ 34,164		34,164			$ 36,990
Noncurrent assets	[2]	23,057		23,057			24,020
Total assets	[2]	57,221		57,221			61,010
Current liabilities	[2]	2,883		2,883			6,051
Noncurrent liabilities	[2]	9,876		9,876			12,930
Stockholders' equity	[2]	44,462		44,462			42,029
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	[2]	57,221		57,221			61,010
OncoCyte [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)						14.7
Fair value on investment		$ 87,300		$ 87,300		$ 71,200
Price per share on NYSE MKT (in dollars per share)		$ 5.95		$ 5.95		$ 4.85
Unrealized gains on equity method investment				$ 16,100
Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Research and development expense	[3]	$ 1,049	$ 798	1,835
General and administrative expense	[3]	2,093	590	1,751
Loss from operations	[3]	(3,142)	(1,388)	(3,586)
Net loss	[3]	(3,311)	$ (1,932)	(3,582)
Condensed Balance Sheet information [Abstract]
Current assets	[4]	13,452		13,452			10,459
Noncurrent assets	[4]	1,722		1,722			1,751
Total assets	[4]	15,174		15,174			12,210
Current liabilities	[4]	4,549		4,549			1,421
Noncurrent liabilities	[4]	1,852		1,852			310
Stockholders' equity	[4]	8,773		8,773			10,479
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	[4]	$ 15,174		$ 15,174			$ 12,210

[1] The condensed unaudited statement of operations information included in the table above reflects Asterias' results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. Although the periods shown are provided for comparative purposes only, the condensed results of operations of Asterias shown for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was not included in BioTime's consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, Asterias information was included in BioTime condensed consolidated statements of operations, after intercompany eliminations.

[2] The condensed unaudited balance sheet information of Asterias in the table above was not included in BioTime's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

[3] The condensed unaudited statements of operations information included in the table above for the period January 1, 2017 through February 16, 2017, and for the three months ended March 31, 2016, reflects OncoCyte results of operations included in BioTime's consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, after intercompany eliminations. The information for OncoCyte shown for the period from February 17, 2017 through March 31, 2017 is not included in BioTime's consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017, due to the OncoCyte Deconsolidation on February 17, 2017.

[4] The condensed unaudited balance sheet information of OncoCyte in the table above, as of March 31, 2017, was not included in BioTime's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of that date. OncoCyte's balance sheet information as of December 31, 2016 was included in BioTime's consolidated balance sheet at that date, after intercompany eliminations.