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Stockholders' Equity, Stock-based Valuation Information (Details) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Employee Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.40% | 1.80% | 1.50%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 63.00% | 65.90% | 58.70%
Expected life | 4 years 7 months 6 days | 4 years 6 months | 4 years 6 months
Board of Director Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.80% | 2.20% | 1.30%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 61.50% | 61.20% | 53.10%
Expected life | 6 years 7 months 6 days | 6 years 7 months 6 days | 6 years 6 months
ESPP [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 1.80% | 0.80% | 0.40%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 47.30% | 59.90% | 86.40%
Expected life | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months
Akcea [Member] | Employee Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.80% | 1.90% | 1.60%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 77.10% | 79.50% | 71.40%
Expected life | 6 years 29 days | 6 years 22 days | 6 years 29 days
Akcea [Member] | Board of Director Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.90% | 1.90% | 2.00%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 78.20% | 79.40% | 79.60%
Expected life | 6 years 5 months 1 day | 6 years 3 months | 6 years 29 days

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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 The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares. + 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)(iv) -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 Expected term of share-based compensation awards, 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 (f)(2)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 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.D.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115993241&loc=d3e301413-122809 + Details
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