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Benefit Plan
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Benefit Plan [Abstract]  
Benefit Plan
Benefit Plan
  
Lexicon maintains a defined-contribution savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The plan covers substantially all full-time employees.  Participating employees may defer a portion of their pretax earnings, up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit.  Beginning in 2000, the Company was required to match employee contributions according to a specified formula.  The matching contributions totaled $583,000, $642,000 and $614,000 in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Company contributions are vested based on the employee’s years of service, with full vesting after four years of service.