Principles of Consolidation	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	4. Principles of Consolidation These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. In conjunction with the acquisition in June 2009 of VGX Pharmaceuticals (the “Merger”), the Company acquired an 88% interest in VGX Animal Health and certain shares in VGX International, Inc. (“VGX Int’l”) (a publicly-traded company in South Korea). The Company consolidates Genetronics, Inc., VGX Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiary VGX Animal Health and records a non-controlling interest for the 9% of VGX Animal Health it does not own as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The Company’s investment in VGX Int’l, which is recorded as investment in affiliated entity within the condensed consolidated balance sheets is accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of operations within gain (loss) on investment in affiliated entity. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. *Variable Interest Entities* In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires companies to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether a variable interest in another entity represents a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. A controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity is characterized by having both the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entity. This guidance also requires on-going reassessments of variable interests based on changes in facts and circumstances. This guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of the guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and determined that none of the entities with which the Company currently conducts business and collaborations are variable interest entities, except VGXI (a wholly-owned subsidiary of VGX Int’l). The Company determined that they are not the primary beneficiary and therefore are not required to consolidate VGXI.

Principles of Consolidation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]

4. Principles of Consolidation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. In conjunction with the acquisition in June 2009 of VGX Pharmaceuticals (the “Merger”), the Company acquired an 88% interest in VGX Animal Health and certain shares in VGX International, Inc. (“VGX Int’l”) (a publicly-traded company in South Korea). The Company consolidates Genetronics, Inc., VGX Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiary VGX Animal Health and records a non-controlling interest for the 9% of VGX Animal Health it does not own as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The Company’s investment in VGX Int’l, which is recorded as investment in affiliated entity within the condensed consolidated balance sheets is accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of operations within gain (loss) on investment in affiliated entity. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires companies to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether a variable interest in another entity represents a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. A controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity is characterized by having both the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entity. This guidance also requires on-going reassessments of variable interests based on changes in facts and circumstances. This guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company adopted the provisions of the guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and determined that none of the entities with which the Company currently conducts business and collaborations are variable interest entities, except VGXI (a wholly-owned subsidiary of VGX Int’l). The Company determined that they are not the primary beneficiary and therefore are not required to consolidate VGXI.