Maximum percentage of shares of common stock issued and outstanding from conversion of preferred stock.

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Number of warrants exercised during period.

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Number of warrants exercised for issuance of common stock.

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Warrant to purchase common stock.

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Expiration date of warrants held.

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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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Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

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Number of warrants or rights outstanding.

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The number of shares converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

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Describe the manner of settlement upon conversion and any alternative settlement methods (e.g., cash, shares, a combination of both).

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Number of shares issued for each share of convertible preferred stock that is converted.

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Specific terms relevant to convertibility. Includes class of preferred stock and number of shares convertible into, exercise (or conversion) price or rates, dates relevant to conversion timing and events relevant to conversion. Describe also any beneficial conversion features. where convertible preferred stock with a nondetachable conversion feature is in-the-money at commitment date. For contingently convertible preferred stock, discuss the circumstances of the contingency, including the events or changes in circumstance that would cause the contingency to be met and any of the significant features necessary to understand the conversion rights and the timing of those rights. Include also an events or changes in circumstance, if any, that could adjust or change the contingency, conversion price, or number of shares, including significant terms of those changes.

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Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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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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Face amount or stated value per share of preferred stock nonredeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer.

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The maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

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Aggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased.

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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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Intrinsic value of equity-based compensation awards not vested. Excludes stock and unit options.

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No definition available.

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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 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 exercisable share options (fully vested and expected to vest) that may be converted as of the balance sheet date.

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Purchase price of common stock expressed as a percentage of its fair value.

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No definition available.

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The number of shares purchased on the open market during the period for issuance to employees under the plan.

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Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 26, 2015	Apr. 16, 2015	May 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options vesting period	4 years
Expiration period	10 years
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,954,000	$ 1,270,000
Warrants to purchase common stock	1,060,000dvax_WarrantToPurchaseCommonStock
Warrants exercise price	$ 15
Warrants expiration date	Apr. 16, 2015
Number of warrants exercised for issuance of common stock	19,900
Number of warrants exercised during a period	7,500
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized						5,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001						$ 0.001
Conversion of stock, shares converted			26,000
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	17,430
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001
Maximum percentage of shares of common stock issued and outstanding from conversion of preferred stock	9.98%
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	17,430						43,000
Conversion of stock, shares converted	100
Convertible preferred stock, terms of conversion	The holder is prohibited from converting the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, the holder and its affiliates would own more than 9.98% of the total number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding.
Convertible preferred stock, settlement terms	In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock will receive a payment equal to $0.001 per share before any proceeds are distributed to the common stockholders.
Common Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Conversion of stock, shares converted			2,600,000
Subsequent Event
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of warrants exercised for issuance of common stock				1,060,000
Number of warrants exercised during a period				375,000
Warrants remained outstanding				0
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved and approved for issuance	99,600
Shares issued to employees	94,410				50,000
Shares remaining available for future purchases	5,190
Employee Stock Purchase Plan \| The commencement of the offer period (generally, the fifteenth day in February or August
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Purchase price per share as percentage of fair market value of common stock						85.00%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan \| The exercise date, which is the last day of a purchase period (generally, the fourteenth day in February or August)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Purchase price per share as percentage of fair market value of common stock						85.00%
2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued to employees	7,959
Shares remaining available for future purchases	42,041
Time Based Vesting Schedule
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested equity awards	19,800,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost, weighted-average vesting period	3 years 29 days
Performance Based Vesting Schedule
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested equity awards	400,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 4,400,000
Performance based Vesting Condition
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares underlying stock options and restricted stock units awards with performance-based vesting criteria	75,000