Unaudited Quarterly Results (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses)	$ 5,095	$ 1,396	$ 1,937	$ 248	$ (571)	$ 41,656	$ 1,477	$ 1,815	$ 8,676	$ 44,377	$ 7,862
Net (loss) income	(7,154)	(10,014)	(11,697)	(10,254)	$ (12,179)	$ 36,975	$ (11,073)	$ (9,313)	(39,119)	4,410	(42,572)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7)	0	0	0					(7)	0	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Progenics	$ (7,147)	$ (10,014)	$ (11,697)	$ (10,254)					$ (39,112)	$ 4,410	$ (42,572)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Progenics, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.53	$ (0.17)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.56)	$ 0.06	$ (0.76)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Progenics, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.51	$ (0.17)	$ (0.15)	$ (0.56)	$ 0.06	$ (0.76)
Salix [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses)						$ 40,000
Fuji [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses)								$ 1,000
CytoDyn Agreement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues (losses)	$ 1,500