Nature of operations - Additional Information (Detail) |
12 Months Ended |
---|---|
Dec. 31, 2015 | |
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. [Member] | |
Entity Information [Line Items] | |
Date of incorporation | May 31, 2007 |
Aquinox Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Inc. [Member] | |
Entity Information [Line Items] | |
Date of incorporation | Dec. 26, 2003 |