Spin-Off of Theravance Biopharma, Inc. (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jun. 02, 2014	Jun. 01, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Spin-Off of Theravance Biopharma, Inc.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities		$ 393,000,000
Number of shares of Theravance Biopharma issued for every share of Theravance	0.286
Allocation of net book value of assets transferred pursuant to spin-off
Cash and cash equivalents			208,052,000	143,510,000	199,243,000	94,849,000
Marketable investment securities			34,349,000	55,374,000
Accounts receivable			0	199,000
Prepaid and other current assets			982,000	4,287,000
Inventories			0	10,406,000
Fixed assets, net			0	10,238,000
Deferred revenue			(1,082,000)	(9,289,000)
Other liabilities			(4,834,000)	(4,137,000)
Maximum
Spin-Off of Theravance Biopharma, Inc.
Expected period within which most of various services will be provided under agreement following the spin-off		12 months
Theravance Biopharma, Inc.
Allocation of net book value of assets transferred pursuant to spin-off
Cash and cash equivalents			277,541,000
Marketable investment securities			115,129,000
Accounts receivable			125,000
Reimbursement of certain liabilities			16,983,000
Prepaid and other current assets			3,172,000
Inventories			14,328,000
Fixed assets, net			9,580,000
Accrued liabilities			(22,342,000)
Deferred revenue			(6,694,000)
Other liabilities			(4,944,000)
Net book value of assets contributed			$ 402,878,000