XML 13 R25.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2014
Feb. 24, 2012
Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties [Line Items]          
Non-cash royalty revenue $ 3,962,000nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties $ 5,773,000nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties      
Annual interest rate 17.00%nktr_EstimatedAnnualInterestRateOnRoyaltyLiability        
Royalty agreement contingent payment description As a result of worldwide net sales of MIRCERAfor the 12 month periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 not reaching certain minimum thresholds.        
Milestone Scenario One [Member]          
Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties [Line Items]          
Payment made for milestone not achieved year one     3,000,000nktr_PaymentMadeForMilestoneNotAchievedYearOne
/ us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis
= nktr_MilestoneScenarioOneMember
   
Milestone Scenario Two [Member]          
Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties [Line Items]          
Payment made for milestone not achieved year two       7,000,000nktr_PaymentMadeForMilestoneNotAchievedYearTwo
/ us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis
= nktr_MilestoneScenarioTwoMember
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement with RPI [Member]          
Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties [Line Items]          
Proceeds from sale of royalty rights         $ 124,000,000nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesGross
/ us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis
= nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreementMember