XML 104 R63.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.3.a.u2

Stockholders' Equity, Stock-based Valuation Information (Details) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Employee Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.30% | 2.40% | 1.80%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 60.30% | 63.00% | 65.90%
Expected life | 4 years 9 months 18 days | 4 years 7 months 6 days | 4 years 6 months
Board of Director Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 1.90% | 2.80% | 2.20%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 60.70% | 61.50% | 61.20%
Expected life | 6 years 7 months 6 days | 6 years 7 months 6 days | 6 years 7 months 6 days
ESPP [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.40% | 1.80% | 0.80%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 45.60% | 47.30% | 59.90%
Expected life | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months
Akcea [Member] | Employee Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.20% | 2.80% | 1.90%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 75.40% | 77.10% | 79.50%
Expected life | 6 years 1 month 2 days | 6 years 29 days | 6 years 21 days
Akcea [Member] | Board of Director Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 1.80% | 2.90% | 1.90%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 73.80% | 78.20% | 79.40%
Expected life | 6 years 3 months | 6 years 5 months 1 day | 6 years 3 months
Akcea [Member] | ESPP [Member] |  |  |
Weighted-Average Assumptions [Abstract] |  |  |
Risk-free interest rate | 2.40% | 1.90% | 1.10%
Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00%
Volatility | 60.00% | 64.20% | 73.30%
Expected life | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- 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=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- 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=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Rate of weighted-average expected volatility for award under share-based payment arrangement. + 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=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Expected term of award under share-based payment arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents 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=116856206&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
Name: | us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=ions_BoardOfDirectorStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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