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License and Collaboration Agreements - License, Collaboration and Other Revenue (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
License, collaboration and other revenue	$ 96,740nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue	$ 8,081nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue
AstraZeneca AB [Member] | MOVANTIKTM (NKTR-118) and MOVANTIKTM fixed-dose combination program (NKTR-119) [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
License, collaboration and other revenue	90,000nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_AstraZenecaAbMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_MovantikAndMovantikFixedDoseCombinationProgramMember	0nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_AstraZenecaAbMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_MovantikAndMovantikFixedDoseCombinationProgramMember
Roche [Member] | PEGASYS and MIRCERA [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
License, collaboration and other revenue	3,212nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_RocheMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_PegasysAndMirceraMember	3,197nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_RocheMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_PegasysAndMirceraMember
Amgen, Inc. [Member] | Neulasta [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
License, collaboration and other revenue	1,250nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_AmgenIncMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_NeulastaMember	1,250nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_AmgenIncMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_NeulastaMember
Bayer Healthcare LLC [Member] | BAY41-6551 (Amikacin Inhale) [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
License, collaboration and other revenue	810nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_BayerHealthcareLlcMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_BayFourOneSixFiveFiveOneAmikacinInhaleMember	752nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_BayerHealthcareLlcMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_BayFourOneSixFiveFiveOneAmikacinInhaleMember
Baxter Healthcare [Member] | BAX 855 (Hemophilia) [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
License, collaboration and other revenue	109nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_BaxterHealthcareMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_HemophiliaMember	337nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_BaxterHealthcareMember / us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis = nktr_HemophiliaMember
Other [Member]
License And Collaboration Agreements [Line Items]
License, collaboration and other revenue	$ 1,359nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_OtherPartnerMember	$ 2,545nktr_LicenseCollaborationOtherRevenue / dei_LegalEntityAxis = nktr_OtherPartnerMember

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Revenue earned during the period relating to consideration received from another party for the right to use, but not own, certain of the entity's intangible assets. Revenue may contain one or more of the following elements: upfront fees, contract research, milestone payments, manufacturing and supply, royalties, and license fees.

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