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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of operating segment | Segment	1
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$ 81,400,000
Cash used in operating activities	107,051,000	$ 92,559,000	$ 73,738,000
Goodwill impairments	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
United States
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue earned	92.00%	85.00%	96.00%
Percentage of long lived assets	17.00%	11.00%
Maximum
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash equivalents original maturity period	3 months
Dynavax GmbH
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Currency translation adjustments	$ (700,000)	$ (1,300,000)	$ (1,600,000)
Currency transaction gain	$ 200,000	$ 100,000	$ 400,000

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