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Collaborations, Contracts and Licensing Agreements - Narrative (Details)		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 16, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 16, 2017 USD ($)	May 06, 2006 chemotherapy_products
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Total deferred revenue		$ 6,754,000		$ 6,754,000		$ 15,000
Licensing fees, milestone and royalty payments		721,000	$ 277,000	938,000	$ 773,000
Number of chemotherapy products with worldwide licenses \| chemotherapy_products									3
Collaborations and contracts		318,000	32,000	336,000	139,000
Marqibo Commercial Sales
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Collaborations and contracts							$ 1,000,000
Marqibo
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Royalty revenue		65,000	60,000	123,000	91,000
Alexion
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
License upfront payment								$ 7,500,000
Potential milestone payments								$ 75,000,000
Licensing fees, milestone and royalty payments		652,000	0	761,000	0
Collaborations and contracts		318,000	0	336,000	0
Dicerna
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Total deferred revenue	$ 2,500,000
Milestone payment	$ 22,000,000
Licensing fees, milestone and royalty payments		0	214,000	0	427,000	$ 1,066,000
Collaborations and contracts		$ 0	32,000	$ 0	139,000
Talon
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Potential milestone payments							$ 18,000,000
Marqibo
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Royalties percentage		2.50%		2.50%
Other milestone and royalty payments
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Licensing fees, milestone and royalty payments		$ 69,000	$ 63,000	$ 177,000	$ 346,000