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.

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Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.

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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.

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Unrecognized cost of unvested options awarded to employees as compensation.

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No definition available.

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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.

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Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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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.

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The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

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The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

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The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the option plan.

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Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

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The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

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Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

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Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

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Stock Option Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended								3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] 2008 Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] 2008 Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] 2008 Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] 2008 Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] 2013 Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Intrexon Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 AquaBounty Stock Option Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 AquaBounty Stock Option Plan [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 AquaBounty Stock Option Plan [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 AquaBounty Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 AquaBounty Stock Option Plan [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation cost										$ 52	$ 197	$ 402	$ 264	$ 377	$ 763	$ 566	$ 242	$ 1,411	$ 695	$ 1,081	$ 220				$ 27	$ 28
Number of authorized awards			5,714,285	2,857,142			5,714,285	2,857,142
Option issued, vesting period		4 years																					1 year	3 years
Term of issuance of option		10 years																				10 years
Remaining shares available to grant						2,920,609
Expected dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%
Unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested awards	5,523	4,910	6,347
Recognized over weighted-average period	3 years	3 years	3 years
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted		$ 4.60	$ 4.13
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 913	$ 264
Options outstanding	2,697,617	2,313,526	3,614,530	1,448,145	2,637,117				60,500													6,624,000
Shares of common stock reserved for issuance									7,000,000
Weighted average price of option	$ 7.26	$ 5.90	$ 5.22	$ 2.71																		$ 0.25
Options exercisable	992,112	808,633																				5,552,000