Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	NOTE 14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT On January 8, 2014, the Company entered into a Global Research, Development and Commercialization Collaboration and License Agreement (the Agreement) with Biogen Idec Inc. (Biogen), pursuant to which Sangamo and Biogen will collaborate to discover, develop, seek regulatory approval for and commercialize therapeutics based on Sangamo’s ZFP technology for hemoglobinopathies, including beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). Under the Agreement, Sangamo and Biogen will jointly conduct two research programs: the beta-thalassemia program and the SCD program. In the beta-thalassemia program, Sangamo is responsible for all discovery, research and development activities through the first human clinical trial for the first ZFP therapeutic developed under the Agreement for the treatment of beta-thalassemia. In the SCD program, both parties are responsible for research and development activities through the submission of an IND application for ZFP therapeutics intended to treat SCD. Under both programs, Biogen is responsible for subsequent worldwide clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of licensed products developed under the Agreement. At the end of specified research terms for each program or under certain specified circumstances, Biogen retains the right to step in and take over any remaining activities of Sangamo. Furthermore, Sangamo has an option to co-promote in the United States any licensed product to treat beta-thalassemia and SCD developed under the Agreement, and Biogen agrees to compensate Sangamo for such co-promotion activities. Under the Agreement, Sangamo will receive an upfront license fee of $20.0 million. Biogen will reimburse Sangamo for its costs incurred in connection with research and development activities conducted by Sangamo. In addition, Sangamo is eligible to receive development milestone payments upon the achievement of specified regulatory, clinical development and commercialization milestones. The total amount of potential regulatory, clinical development, commercialization and sales milestone payments, assuming the achievement of all specified milestones in the Agreement, is $293.8 million, including Phase 1 milestone payments of $7.5 million for each of the beta-thalassemia and SCD programs. In addition, Biogen agrees to pay Sangamo incremental royalties for each licensed product that are tiered double-digit percentage of annual net sales of such product. Subject to the terms of the Agreement, Sangamo grants Biogen an exclusive, royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use certain ZFP and other technology controlled by Sangamo for the purpose of researching, developing, manufacturing and commercializing licensed products developed under the Agreement. Sangamo also grants Biogen a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty free, fully paid license, with the right to grant sublicenses, of Sangamo’s interest in certain other intellectual property developed pursuant to the Agreement.

NOTE 14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On January 8, 2014, the Company entered into a Global Research, Development and Commercialization Collaboration and License Agreement (the Agreement) with Biogen Idec Inc. (Biogen), pursuant to which Sangamo and Biogen will collaborate to discover, develop, seek regulatory approval for and commercialize therapeutics based on Sangamo’s ZFP technology for hemoglobinopathies, including beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD).

Under the Agreement, Sangamo and Biogen will jointly conduct two research programs: the beta-thalassemia program and the SCD program. In the beta-thalassemia program, Sangamo is responsible for all discovery, research and development activities through the first human clinical trial for the first ZFP therapeutic developed under the Agreement for the treatment of beta-thalassemia. In the SCD program, both parties are responsible for research and development activities through the submission of an IND application for ZFP therapeutics intended to treat SCD. Under both programs, Biogen is responsible for subsequent worldwide clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of licensed products developed under the Agreement. At the end of specified research terms for each program or under certain specified circumstances, Biogen retains the right to step in and take over any remaining activities of Sangamo. Furthermore, Sangamo has an option to co-promote in the United States any licensed product to treat beta-thalassemia and SCD developed under the Agreement, and Biogen agrees to compensate Sangamo for such co-promotion activities.

Under the Agreement, Sangamo will receive an upfront license fee of $20.0 million. Biogen will reimburse Sangamo for its costs incurred in connection with research and development activities conducted by Sangamo. In addition, Sangamo is eligible to receive development milestone payments upon the achievement of specified regulatory, clinical development and commercialization milestones. The total amount of potential regulatory, clinical development, commercialization and sales milestone payments, assuming the achievement of all specified milestones in the Agreement, is $293.8 million, including Phase 1 milestone payments of $7.5 million for each of the beta-thalassemia and SCD programs. In addition, Biogen agrees to pay Sangamo incremental royalties for each licensed product that are tiered double-digit percentage of annual net sales of such product.

Subject to the terms of the Agreement, Sangamo grants Biogen an exclusive, royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use certain ZFP and other technology controlled by Sangamo for the purpose of researching, developing, manufacturing and commercializing licensed products developed under the Agreement. Sangamo also grants Biogen a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty free, fully paid license, with the right to grant sublicenses, of Sangamo’s interest in certain other intellectual property developed pursuant to the Agreement.