Equity Method Accounting for Common Stock of Asterias, at fair value (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	May 13, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Fair value on investment		$ 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		$ 100,000
Price per share on NYSE MKT (in dollars per share)		$ 3.40		$ 4.60
Unrealized loss on equity method investment		$ 26,100
Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Total revenue	[1]	2,010	$ 1,594
Gross profit	[1]	1,957	1,541
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		$ 36,990
Noncurrent assets	[2]	23,057		24,020
Total assets	[2]	57,221		61,010
Current liabilities	[2]	2,883		6,051
Noncurrent liabilities	[2]	9,876		12,930
Stockholders' equity	[2]	44,462		42,029
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	[2]	$ 57,221		$ 61,010

[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.