Common Stock (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2012	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 13, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Aug. 13, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Common stock
Reverse stock split conversion ratio	2.0230
Net proceeds from secondary public offering		$ 124,100	$ 51,733	$ 32,414	$ 4,039
Common Stock
Common stock
Common stock issued (in shares)						5,518,630
Common stock issued in a private placement (in shares)				3,888,880	897,554
Common stock issue price (in dollars per share)						$ 10.00
Net proceeds from secondary public offering						51,700
Common stock issued in conjunction with a research and development agreement (in shares)				273,224
Outstanding stock options (in shares)			3,628,628	2,413,237			2,413,237
Outstanding restricted stock units (in shares)			54,078	96,155			96,155
Number of shares represents partial exercise of overallotment option granted to underwriters						518,630
Common Stock | Intrexon
Common stock
Common stock issue price (in dollars per share)				$ 9.15			$ 9.15
Common stock issued in conjunction with a research and development agreement (in shares)							273,224
Issuance under private placement | Common Stock
Common stock
Common stock issued in a private placement (in shares)								897,554	3,888,880
Common stock issue price (in dollars per share)								$ 5.50	$ 9.00	5.50
Net proceeds from secondary public offering								$ 4,000	$ 32,700
Series A convertible preferred stock
Common stock
Common stock issue price (in dollars per share)											$ 1.00
Preferred stock conversion ratio					(2.023)					2.023
Series A convertible preferred stock | Issuance under private placement
Common stock
Number of shares of common stock in which preferred stock is convertible								3,064,753
Series A convertible preferred stock | Issuance under private placement | Common Stock
Common stock
Number of shares of common stock in which preferred stock is convertible								3,064,753
Series A convertible preferred stock | Issuance under private placement | Common Stock
Common stock
Reverse stock split conversion ratio								2.023
Series B convertible preferred stock
Common stock
Common stock issue price (in dollars per share)	5.50
Preferred stock conversion ratio					1
Series B convertible preferred stock | Issuance under private placement
Common stock
Preferred stock conversion ratio								1
Number of shares of common stock in which preferred stock is convertible								6,770,563
Series B convertible preferred stock | Issuance under private placement | Common Stock
Common stock
Number of shares of common stock in which preferred stock is convertible								6,770,563