INCOME TAXES (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 17,700
Uncertain tax position	0
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 0	$ 0
Number of states in which the entity primarily operates or has operated and has income tax nexus | item	3
CuraGen
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Assets recorded for net operating losses not yet utilized	$ 0
Federal
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 458,500
Period of recognition of unrealized loss or gain after the ownership change	5 years
Federal | R&D credit
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Tax credit carryforwards	$ 26,100
Federal | Ownership change in October 2007
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	28,300
Annual limitation	4,500
Federal | Ownership changes in June 2009 and December 2009
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	67,700
Annual limitation	6,000
Federal | Ownership Change in December 2013
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	178,700
Annual limitation	77,000
Federal | Prior to merger
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	33,000
Federal | AVANT
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	356,700
Federal | AVANT | Prior to merger
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
NOL, net of expirations and utilization	101,200
Federal | CuraGen | Prior to acquisition
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	518,300
Federal | Kolltan | Prior to acquisition
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	110,500
State
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	344,900
State | R&D credit
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Tax credit carryforwards	9,400
Foreign
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 3,700