Backend facility fee.

No definition available.

Name:	dvax_BackendFacilityFee
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Base rent per square feet.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_BaseRentPerSquareFeet
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contingent precommencialization milestone payments percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_ContingentPrecommencializationMilestonePaymentsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Lease commencement date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_LeaseCommencementDate
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

License arrangement contingent consideration percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_LicenseArrangementContingentConsiderationPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

License arrangement contingent payment to acquire license.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_LicenseArrangementContingentPaymentToAcquireLicense
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Opearting lease rent area.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_OpeartingLeaseRentArea
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Payment to holdings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_PaymentToHoldings
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of excess rent paid to landlord.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_PercentageOfExcessRentPaidToLandlord
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of collateralized debt obligations, plus interest-in-kind, with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, excluding the current portion.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dvax_SecuredLongTermDebtNoncurrentPlusInterestInKind
Namespace Prefix:	dvax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of contractual obligation, including but not limited to, long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations, and other commitments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractualObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117815213&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date which lease or group of leases is set to expire, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of terms and conditions of option to extend lessee's operating lease. Includes, but is not limited to, information about option recognized as part of right-of-use asset and lease liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121609121&loc=SL77918673-209980

+ Details

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

- Definition

Term of lessee's operating lease renewal, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121609121&loc=SL77918673-209980

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Term of lessee's operating lease, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Indicates (true false) whether sublessee has option to extend operating sublease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LesseeOperatingSubleaseExistenceOfOptionToExtend
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of terms and conditions of option to extend operating sublease.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116870748&loc=SL6758485-165988

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75031198&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (bb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121559654&loc=d3e5710-111685

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19-26)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121559654&loc=d3e5710-111685

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(g)(1)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Liabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow from operating lease, excluding payments to bring another asset to condition and location necessary for its intended use.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121603541&loc=SL77918643-209977

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (g)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121609121&loc=SL77918686-209980

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net cash outflow or inflow from monetary allowance granted by the landlord to a tenant to entice tenant to move into landlords building which will enable the tenant to prepare the leased premises for tenants occupancy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromTenantAllowance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fair value, as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, of securities that are restricted as collateral under letter of credit agreements, and that are reclassified and separately reported in the statement of financial position because the transferee has the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66007379&loc=d3e113888-111728

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedSecuritiesPledgedUnderLetterOfCreditFacilitiesAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Minimum amount of purchase arrangement in which the entity has agreed to expend funds to procure goods or services from a supplier.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PurchaseObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of collateralized debt obligations with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, excluding the current portion. Obligations include, but not limited to, mortgage loans, chattel loans, and other borrowings secured by assets.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuredLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of financial instrument held by the entity for its own account (proprietary securities) for trading or investment purposes that are carried at fair value and pledged to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (b)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109249958&loc=SL6224234-111729

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66007379&loc=d3e113888-111728

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecurityOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of sublease income excluding finance and operating lease expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121609121&loc=SL77918686-209980

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 53
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121568110&loc=SL77918982-209971

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubleaseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=dvax_SymphonyDynamoHoldingsLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dvax_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=dvax_CRGServicingLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=dvax_PowellStreetSubleaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_CA
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=dvax_HortonStreetMasterLeaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=dvax_HortonStreetSubleaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions			1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 17, 2018 USD ($) ft²	Feb. 20, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2019 USD ($) ft²	Nov. 30, 2009 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2004 EUR (€)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Tenant improvement allowance							$ (908,000)
Sublease income						$ 2,022,000	1,926,000
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities						1,700,000	1,700,000
Principal amount including interest paid in kind						$ 180,900,000
Debt maturity date						Dec. 31, 2023
Non-cancelable purchase and other commitments						$ 90,900,000
Letter of credit pledged as security \| €												€ 0.2
Collateralized certificate of deposit \| €									€ 0.2
Liability under agreement						390,357,000				$ 294,579,000
Symphony Dynamo Holdings LLC
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
License arrangement contingent consideration percentage					50.00%
License arrangement upfront payment					$ 50,000,000
Payment to holdings			$ 2,500,000
Symphony Dynamo Holdings LLC \| Asset Purchase Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Liability under agreement						$ 0
Contingent precommencialization milestone payments percentage						50.00%			50.00%
CRG Servicing LLC
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 175,000,000.0
Current borrowing capacity		$ 100,000,000.0									$ 75,000,000.0
total contractual obligations						$ 188,100,000
principal amount						175,000,000.0
Principal amount including interest paid in kind						5,900,000		$ 180,900,000
backend facility fee						$ 7,200,000
Debt maturity date		Dec. 31, 2023						Dec. 31, 2023
Powell Street Sublease \| Emeryville, California (Premises)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease area \| ft²				23,976
Base rent per square feet				$ 3.90
Lease expiration date				Jun. 30, 2022
Option to extend						There is no option to extend the sublease term
Existence of option to extend						false
Horton Street Master Lease
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of excess rent paid to landlord						50.00%			50.00%
Horton Street Master Lease \| Emeryville, California (Premises)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease area \| ft²	75,662
Base rent per square feet	$ 4.75
Operations commencement date	Apr. 01, 2019
Tenant improvement allowance	$ 8,100,000
Initial lease term	12 years
Lease option to extend	The Horton Street Master Lease has an initial term of 12 years, following the Commencement Date with an option to extend the lease for two successive five-year terms.
Renewal term of lease	5 years
Horton Street Sublease \| Emeryville, California (Premises)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease area \| ft²				75,662
Base rent per square feet				$ 5.50
Lease expiration date				Mar. 31, 2031
Option to extend				The Subtenant has no option to extend the sublease term.
Existence of option to extend				false
Horton Street Sublease \| Emeryville, California (Premises) \| Other Income (Expense)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Sublease income						$ 2,000,000.0	$ 1,900,000