Net Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Numerator
Net loss attributable to Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$ (8,042,820)	$ (10,581,779)
Reflect adjustment for decrease in fair value of warrant liability	0	(289,773)
Numerator for use in diluted loss per share	$ (8,042,820)	$ (10,871,552)
Denominator
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (shares)	72,230,411	60,741,082
Effect of dilutive potential common shares from warrants (shares)	0	172,341
Denominator for use in diluted loss per share (shares)	72,230,411	60,913,423
Net loss per share, diluted ($ per share)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.18)
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (shares)	8,437,652	6,797,192
Options to purchase commons stock [Member]
Denominator
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (shares)	7,135,624	5,930,767
Warrants to purchase common stock [Member]
Denominator
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (shares)	560,904	727,969
Restricted stock units [Member]
Denominator
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (shares)	732,668	130,000
Convertible preferred stock [Member]
Denominator
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (shares)	8,456	8,456

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