XML 57 R44.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Detail)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Number of Operating Segments (in segments) 1us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
Maximum maturity period of investments considered as cash equivalents (in duration) 3 months
Maximum total annual milestone payments as a percentage of total revenue (in percent) 1.00%pdli_Maximumtotalannualmilestonepaymentsasapercentageoftotalrevenueinpercent