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Significant Accounting Policies, Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | $ 34,883 | $ 21,472 | $ 97,210 | $ 63,642
Research, Development and Patent [Member] |  |  |  |
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | 18,780 | 16,181 | 57,698 | 48,443
Selling, General and Administrative [Member] |  |  |  |
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | 16,103 | 5,291 | $ 39,512 | $ 15,199
Employee Stock Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate |  |  | 2.30% | 1.80%
Dividend yield |  |  | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility |  |  | 63.10% | 66.10%
Expected life |  |  | 4 years 7 months 6 days | 4 years 6 months
Unrecognized Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options | 139,500 |  | $ 139,500 |
Weighted average period for recognition |  |  | 1 year 3 months 18 days |
Board of Director Stock Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate |  |  | 2.80% | 2.20%
Dividend yield |  |  | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility |  |  | 61.50% | 61.20%
Expected life |  |  | 6 years 7 months 6 days | 6 years 7 months 6 days
ESPP [Member] |  |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate |  |  | 1.80% | 0.80%
Dividend yield |  |  | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility |  |  | 47.30% | 59.90%
Expected life |  |  | 6 months | 6 months
RSUs [Member] |  |  |  |
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Vesting period |  |  | 4 years |
Unrecognized Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs | 32,600 |  | $ 32,600 |
Weighted average period for recognition |  |  | 1 year 7 months 6 days |
RSUs [Member] | Employees [Member] |  |  |  |
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Weighted-average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) |  |  | $ 51.83 |
RSUs [Member] | Board of Directors [Member] |  |  |  |
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Weighted-average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) |  |  | $ 42.88 |
Akcea [Member] |  |  |  |
Stock-based Compensation Expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation expense | $ 12,700 | $ 4,700 | $ 31,200 | $ 11,800

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- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115993241&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based awards, other than options, awarded to employees as compensation. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Unrecognized cost of unvested options awarded to employees as compensation. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (f)(2)(iii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average expected volatility rate of share-based compensation awards. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (f)(2)(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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