Description of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Description of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, comprehensive loss and cash flows. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015 or any other period. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2015.
Business Separation	Business Separation On June 1, 2014, we separated our biopharmaceutical research and drug development operations from our late-stage partnered respiratory assets by transferring our research and drug development operations into our then wholly-owned subsidiary, Theravance Biopharma, Inc. (“Theravance Biopharma”). We contributed $393.0 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities to Theravance Biopharma and all outstanding shares of Theravance Biopharma were then distributed to Theravance stockholders as a pro-rata dividend distribution on June 2, 2014 by issuing one ordinary share of Theravance Biopharma for every 3.5 shares of our common stock to stockholders of record on May 15, 2014 (the “Spin-Off”). The Spin-Off resulted in Theravance Biopharma becoming an independent, publicly traded company. The results of operations for the former research and drug development operations conducted by us and by Theravance Biopharma until June 1, 2014 are included as part of this report as discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. Refer to Note 11 “Discontinued Operations” for further information.
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities We evaluate our ownership, contractual and other interest in entities to determine if they are variable interest entities (“VIE”), whether we have a variable interest in those entities and the nature and extent of those interests. Based on our evaluations, if we determine we are the primary beneficiary of such VIEs, we consolidate such entities into our financial statements. We consolidate the financial results of TRC, which we have determined to be a VIE, because we have the power to direct the economically significant activities of TRC and the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, TRC. The financial position and results of operations of TRC are not material for the periods presented.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new standard will replace nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP when it becomes effective. In July 2015, the FASB decided to defer the effective date by one year. Thus, the new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2018, at which time we may adopt the new standard under either the full retrospective method or the modified retrospective method. Early adoption on or after January 1, 2017 would be permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest, to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs associated with term loans in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. It will be effective for us on January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We plan to adopt ASU 2015-03 on January 1, 2016. Upon adoption of ASU 2015-03, we will apply the guidance retrospectively to all periods presented and classify our debt issuance costs, which are currently included in other assets in the condensed consolidated financial statements, as a deduction to our long-term debt.

Disclosure of accounting policy for consolidation to describe the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest held by the entity requires the variable interest entity to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the variable interest entity; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; and the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities that significantly impact the economic performance of the variable interest entity are shared (as defined).