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Organization and Significant Accounting Policies, Noncontrolling Interest in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. (Details) - Akcea [Member] | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Jul. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest in Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage ownership before IPO | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |  |  |
Percentage ownership |  |  |  | 75.00% | 68.00% | 68.00%

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- Definition The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | na
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X
- Definition Percentage of subsidiary's or equity investee's stock owned by parent company before stock transaction. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | srt_OwnershipAxis=ions_AkceaTherapeuticsIncMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |