The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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 (c)(2)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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).

+ 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)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ 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 (c)(1)(iii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ 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
-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 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ 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 (c)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of monthly expense recognized from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments), awarded to key employees or individuals.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xon_CompensationArrangementWithIndividualAllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseMonthlyExpense
Namespace Prefix:	xon_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time during which issued shares are subject to a lock-up on resale.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xon_LockupPeriodOnRestrictedStockUnitShares
Namespace Prefix:	xon_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Incresae In Number of Shares Authorized

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xon_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardIncresaeInNumberofSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	xon_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Expense recognized for consideration of services paid in the form of stock. Value of the stock issued includes, but is not limited to, services contributed by vendors and founders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	xon_SharesIssuedDuringPeriodValueIssuedForServicesExpense
Namespace Prefix:	xon_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=xon_IntrexonStockOptionPlan2008PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=xon_IntrexonStockOptionPlan2013PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=xon_AquaBounty2006StockOptionPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=xon_AquaBountyStockOptionPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services	$ 831	$ 2,941
Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Monthly compensation, in the form of equity	$ 200
Lock-up period	3 years
Chief Executive Officer \| Selling, general and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued as payment for services	$ 486	$ 486
Intrexon Stock Option Plan - 2008 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available to grant (in shares)						0
Options outstanding (in shares)	393,098
Intrexon Stock Option Plan - 2013 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available to grant (in shares)	2,561,296
Options outstanding (in shares)	11,312,743
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares)	20,000,000
RSUs outstanding (in shares)	2,288,017			970,341
AquaBounty Stock Option Plan - 2006 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining shares available to grant (in shares)					0
Aqua Bounty Stock Option Plans
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options outstanding (in shares)	347,464
Options exercisable (in shares)	326,382
Weighted average exercise price of option (in usd per share)	$ 6.98
Subsequent Event \| Intrexon Stock Option Plan - 2013 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in number of shares authorized			5,000,000