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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]      
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 122.7us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments    
Reverse stock split ten-for-one    
Reverse stock split effective date Nov. 07, 2014    
Number of operating segment 1us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments    
United States      
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]      
Percentage of revenue earned 96.00%dvax_PercentageOfRevenueEarned
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
89.00%dvax_PercentageOfRevenueEarned
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
88.00%dvax_PercentageOfRevenueEarned
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
Percentage of long lived assets 11.00%dvax_PercentageOfLongLivedAssets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
9.00%dvax_PercentageOfLongLivedAssets
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
 
Maximum      
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]      
Cash equivalents original maturity period 3 months    
Rhein      
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]      
Currency translation adjustments (1.6)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= dvax_RheinBiotechGmbhMember
0.5us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= dvax_RheinBiotechGmbhMember
0.4us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= dvax_RheinBiotechGmbhMember
Currency transaction gain (loss) 0.4us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossRealized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= dvax_RheinBiotechGmbhMember
(0.2)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossRealized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= dvax_RheinBiotechGmbhMember
(0.2)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossRealized
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= dvax_RheinBiotechGmbhMember